Long-term response in patient with recurrent oropharyngeal carcinoma treated with cetuximab, docetaxel and cisplatin (TPEx) as first-line treatment followed by cetuximab maintenance

This case report demonstrated that TPEx regimen, by synergistic interaction between taxanes and cetuximab, followed by bimonthly cetuximab maintenance may lead to patient complete remission within the first year of treatment. Furthermore, prolonged intermittent treatment with cetuximab seems to participate in the improved survival associated with preserved quality of life. Key favorable prognostic factors may be moderate tumor differentiation, oropharyngeal location, HPV p16 positive tumor status.