INTRODUCTION — The following material represents a subset of chemotherapy and immunotherapy regimens that are used for the treatment of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. This is not an exhaustive list; it includes regimens that are considered by the authors and editors to be commonly used and important for the care of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Additional regimens may be added over time, particularly as treatment for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck evolves.
This topic review is intended to provide only a listing of chemotherapy and immunotherapy regimens. It does not address the appropriate context for use of these regimens in the care of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Clinicians should refer to the individual disease-oriented topic reviews that discuss the use of these protocols in appropriate clinical situations:
●(See "Treatment of metastatic and recurrent head and neck cancer".)
These tables are provided as examples of how to administer these regimens; there may be other acceptable methods. All chemotherapy and immunotherapy regimens must be administered by clinicians who are trained in the use of chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The clinician is expected to use his or her independent medical judgment in the context of individual circumstances to make adjustments, as necessary.
REGIMENS
Weekly single-agent docetaxel — (table 1)
Docetaxel, cisplatin, fluorouracil (TAX324) — (table 2)
Docetaxel, cisplatin, fluorouracil (TAX323) — (table 3)
Cetuximab — (table 4)
Pembrolizumab — (table 5)
Pembrolizumab plus cisplatin and fluorouracil — (table 6)
Nivolumab — (table 7)
ACKNOWLEDGMENT — The UpToDate editorial staff acknowledges Scott M Wirth, PharmD, BCOP, who contributed to an earlier version of this topic review.
