Network meta-analysis (MA) of taxane-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) for locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (LA SCCHN).

5568 Background: Concurrent platinum-based chemoradiation (CRT) is a standard treatment for LA SCCHN based on results of the MACH-HN MA (Pignon, 2009). Cisplatin/5-fluorouracil (PF) NCT has shown less survival benefit. TPF combines a taxane with PF and has shown survival benefits as NCT in randomized trials (RCTs). A Network MA of TPF NCT in LA SCCHN was done to examine its relative benefits compared to CRT alone. Methods: A literature search for RCTs studying TPF NCT was done using electronic databases. Eligible RCTs compared TPF NCT+CRT with CRT alone or with PF NCT+CRT. Outcomes of interest included overall, progression-free and laryngectomy-free survival (OS, PFS, LGFS); overall and complete response rates (RR and CR); toxicity and health-related quality of life (QoL). The hazard ratio (HR) or odds ratio (OR) were used for statistical pooling. Pooled data comparing CRT alone or PF NCT+CRT to RT were available from the MACH-HN MA. TPF NCT+CRT was compared to RT alone by 2 independent routes using the m...