ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the efficacy and safety of nimotuzumab combined with docetaxel and cisplatin in the first-line treatment of recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients treated with nimotuzumab combined with docetaxel+cisplatin (observation group, n=28) and docetaxel+cisplatin (control group, n=30). We compared the ORR, DCR, PFS and OS between two regimens, and evaluated the safety. Results The ORR of observation and control groups were 42.9% and 16.7%, the DCR were 78.6% and 53.3%, and the median PFS were 6.2 and 4.3 months, respectively (all P < 0.05), and the median OS were 12.2 and 8.5 months (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in adverse reactions between two groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion Compared with simple chemotherapy, nimotuzumab combined with docetaxel and cisplatin in the first-line treatment could improve the short-term clinical efficacy and prolong the progression-free survival of the patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, and caused no additional adverse reactions.