Optimizing the prescription doses and tolerability of systemic therapy in head and neck cancer patients

This article reviews the latest advances in systemic therapy for the treatment of locoregionally advanced and reccurent/metastatic head and neck cancer from a tolerability perspective. Recent findings Multiple recent attempts have been made to optimize tolerability (and efficacy) of systemic therapy utilizing new regimens, modified prescription doses, drugs such as immunotherapies or genotyping to tailor the systemic therapy to the individual patient. Summary Although treatment benefit has to be weighed against potential toxicity, it is reasonable to anticipate potential side effects of systemic therapies. In a vulnerable elderly or Asian patient population upfront dose modifications of cytotoxic chemotherapies might be reasonable. Special attention should be laid on the patient's nutritional status and early intervention recommended. Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase genotyping can predict 5-fluorouracil toxicity and identify patients for whom alternative regimens are more suitable. As for immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy, despite being well tolerated, the identification of biomarkers to predict reduced tolerability or severe toxicity would be highly desirable.
Source: Current Opinion in Oncology - Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: HEAD AND NECK: Edited by Joël Guigay Source Type: research