Weekly cisplatin shows no safety advantage in head and neck cancer trial

· Science

The NRG-HN009 randomized trial found that weekly cisplatin did not produce fewer serious side effects than the every-three-week regimen when combined with radiation for locally advanced head and neck cancer. Physicians had lacked clear randomized evidence on which schedule offers the best balance of efficacy and toxicity.

Why it matters：Cisplatin scheduling is a routine clinical decision in head and neck cancer, so clarifying that weekly dosing does not reduce toxicity affects treatment protocols for many patients globally.

Key points

  • Trial examined weekly versus every-three-week cisplatin with radiation.
  • Weekly cisplatin did not show fewer serious side effects.
  • Focused on p16-negative locally advanced head and neck cancer.

Sources (original reporting)

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