Induction chemotherapy with docetaxel, cisplatin and S-1 followed by proton beam therapy concurrent with cisplatin in patients with T4b nasal and sinonasal malignancies

For the treatment of patients with T4b nasal and sinonasal malignancies, definitive chemoradiotherapy was contraindicated due to the risk of brain damage and blindness. However, combination chemotherapy with docetaxel, cisplatin and S-1 is well tolerated and effective. We conducted a retrospective analysis to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of induction chemotherapy using docetaxel, cisplatin and S-1 followed by proton beam therapy concurrent with cisplatin. Thirteen patients treated with docetaxel, cisplatin and S-1 were analyzed. Docetaxel, cisplatin and S-1 consisted of 60-70 mg/m(2)/day docetaxel on day 1, 70 mg/m(2)/day cisplatin on day 1 and 60-80 mg/m(2)/day S-1 on days 1-14. Treatment was repeated every 3-4 weeks with a maximum number of three treatment cycles. According to the response to docetaxel, cisplatin and S-1, patients received either proton beam therapy concurrent with 20 mg/m(2)/day cisplatin on days 1-4 every 3 weeks or proton beam therapy alone. Neutropenia represented the most common Grade 3/4 hematological toxicity (76.9%), while the most frequently observed non-hematological toxicity was nausea (23.0%). After the completion of docetaxel, cisplatin and S-1, the overall response rate was 38.4% (5 of 13), with 1 patient achieving complete response and 4 patients achieving partial response. Subsequently, 10 patients received proton beam therapy concurrent with cisplatin, 2 received proton beam therapy alone and 1 received palliative radiation. No severe toxicity was observed during proton beam therapy. After the completion of proton beam therapy, 11 patients (84.6%) achieved complete response and no brain damage or blindness occurred. Induction chemotherapy with docetaxel, cisplatin and S-1 followed by proton beam therapy concurrent with cisplatin is well tolerated and displays promising antitumor activity that warrants further investigation.