Induction Chemotherapy Before Concomitant Chemoradiotherapy Improves Outcomes of Patients with Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer (2/10/2010)
Researchers from Italy have reported that induction (neoadjuvant) chemotherapy prior to concomitant chemoradiotherapy improves outcomes of patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer. The details of this Phase II randomized trial were published early online in the Annals of Oncology on December 23, 2009.

Photodynamic Laser Therapy Effective for Early-stage Oral Cancers (2/9/2010)
Researchers from the Henry Ford Health System have reported that PHOTOFRIN® (porfimer sodium)-mediated photodynamic laser therapy is effective for treating early-stage (Tis-T2N0M0) squamous cell carcinomas of the oral cavity and oropharynx. The details of this study appeared in the January, 2010 issue of Lasers in Surgery and Medicine.

No Adverse Effects of Epoetin Alfa in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer Receiving Radiotherapy (12/1/2009)
Researchers from the United Kingdom have reported that epoetin alfa (Eprex®, Procrit®), an erythropoietin, has no adverse effects in patients with head and neck cancer receiving radiotherapy (RT). The details of this study appeared in the December 1, 2009 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Uninsured Have Higher Mortality from Head and Neck Cancer than Insured (11/25/2009)
Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh have reported that patients with “Medicaid/uninsured and Medicare disability were at increased risk of death after the diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) when compared with patients with private insurance.” The details of this study were published online on November 20, 2009 in Cancer.

Presence of Rash Associated with Improved Survival in Patients Receiving Adjuvant Erbitux® for Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer (11/16/2009)
A multicenter randomized trial has shown that patients with locoregionally advanced head and neck cancer receiving adjuvant Erbitux® (cetuximab) and radiotherapy who develop a rash have a better survival than patients receiving this therapy who don’t develop a rash.  The details of this five-year follow-up of a Phase III randomized study were published early online in the Lancet Oncology on November 7, 2009.