Cisplatin, doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide in advanced salivary gland carcinoma : a phase II trial of 22 patients

Background: To evaluate the activity of CAP regimen in advanced salivary gland carcinomas. Patients and methods: Twenty-two patients with advanced salivary gland carcinomas were treated according to the CAP regimen. All patients were previously treated with surgery and/or radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. Seven patients had local or locoregional disease, nine patients had local and metastatic disease, six patients had metastatic disease only. The most common histologies were included. Results: Of 22 patients, six achieved a partial response (27%, 95% CI: 11%-50%): no complete response was observed. Response duration ranged between 3 and 13 months (median seven months). The median survival time for the entire series was 21 months. Conclusions: In this investigation, on 22 consecutive patients, CAP combination provided an overall response rate of 27%. This study confirms that, at present, available drugs yield poor results, either as single agents or as combination therapy.