A Novel Cetuximab-Based Quadruplet Regimen Post-DCF Progression in Boderline Resectable Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Single-Center Experience from India
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Aims and Objectives: Aim: To assess operability in borderline resectable head and neck squamous cell carcinoma post DCF local progression by use of Cetuximab based quadruplet regimen. Objective: To assess disease response of given/to assess toxicity of quadruplet regimen. Materials and Methods: This case series involved seven patients with locally advanced HNSCC affecting the oral cavity and soft palate from November 2022 to April2024. Initially, these patients underwent three cycles of docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-FU, but exhibited disease progression. Subsequently, they were administered Cetuximab 400 mg/m 2 loading dose followed by 250 mg/m 2 weekly, Irinotecan 100 mg day 1 and day 8, Cisplatin 50 mg Day 1 and day 8, Methotrexate 50 mg Day 1, 8 and day 15 of 21 days regimen weekly for 6 to 9 cycles. At the end of treatment PET CT with MRI fusion was done to assess response and patient underwent definitive local treatment. Results: All patients received locoregional treatment 6 patients in form of surgery with negative margins, tumor downstaging, while 1 patient received definitive CT + RT. We did not observe any Grade 3/4 side effects, most of side effects were of Grade 1 and 2 skin reaction. Conclusion: With use of this novel Cetuximab-based regimen post-DCF progression, we managed to convert borderline resectable disease to resectable disease, make patient undergo definitive treatment with no adverse grade 3 or 4 effects, only side effects being skin rash which is common is patients receiving Cetuximab. In our experience the above regimen yields positive results. Limitation is retrospective nature and lack of any prospective data of use of Cetuximab in neoadjuvant setting hence larger study is needed. Publication History Article published online: 20 February 2026 © 2026. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Thieme Medical and Scientific Publishers Pvt. Ltd. A-12, 2nd Floor, Sector 2, Noida-201301 UP, India
Language: English
Topic: Head and Neck Cancer Studies
Subfield: Otorhinolaryngology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7130684206