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Oral capecitabine plus subcutaneous interferon alpha in advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the skin

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Abstract

Purpose

Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin (SSC) is a UV-damage-related skin tumor. The first-line treatment is surgery, which has a high cure rate. In advanced cases, however, the established treatment is often not curative and shows a high rate of side effects. Improved treatment modalities are necessary.

Methods

Oral capecitabine plus subcutaneous interferon alpha were used in a prospective case series in advanced SSC of the skin at an academic teaching hospital for dermatology. Four patients with advanced SCC were included. Capecitabine 950 mgm-2 body surface on days 1 to 14 was combined with interferon alpha 3×3 mioU s.c. three times a week. The chemotherapy was repeated on day 22. Clinical response, histology, monitoring of side effects and health performance status were assessed.

Results

Four patients (two females and two males) with advanced SCC were included (age range: 19 to 75 years). Complete remission (CR) was obtained in two and partial response (PR) in two. The final outcome was CR in two and progressive disease in one. One patient died of an unknown cause. Side effects were mild. Adjuvant treatment was unnecessary. Health performance status was not affected by the treatment.

Conclusions

The treatment protocol with a combination of capecitabine and interferon alpha seems to be effective and well tolerated in patients with advanced SCC. Controlled trials are necessary to prove the benefit we observed in this case series.

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Abbreviations

CR:

complete remission

5-FU:

5-fluorouracil

IFN:

interferon

PD:

progressive disease

PR:

partial remission

s.c.:

subcutaneous

SCC:

squamous cell carcinoma

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, Hospital Dresden-Friedrichstadt, Friedrichstrasse 41, 01067, Dresden, Germany

    Uwe Wollina, Gesina Hansel, Andreas Koch & Erich Köstler

Authors
  1. Uwe Wollina
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  2. Gesina Hansel
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  3. Andreas Koch
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  4. Erich Köstler
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Uwe Wollina.

Additional information

There were no funding sources for this study. Concerning conflict of interest, it is hereby certified that one of the authors (UW) has obtained honoraria for lectures.

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Wollina, U., Hansel, G., Koch, A. et al. Oral capecitabine plus subcutaneous interferon alpha in advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the skin. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 131, 300–304 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-004-0656-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-004-0656-6

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