Do you consider prior use of cisplatin for a previously diagnosed cancer a contraindication for its use as radiosensitizer in a new head & neck cancer?

No. Platinum remains the standard of care as a radiation (RT) sensitizer for locally advanced head and neck cancers whether treatment first-line or in the recurrent setting. To date, there is no data to support an alternative radiation sensitizer even if disease recurs and re-irradiation is considered. We know that cetuximab + RT is inferior to cisplatin + RT in two randomized controlled trials in oropharyngeal HPV+ locally advanced tumors [1], [2]. Although paclitaxel and docetaxel are used as sensitizing agents, we have no data directly comparing taxane + RT with cisplatin + RT. Presently, RTOG 1216 [3], is comparing adjuvant cisplatin + radiation (RT) vs docetaxel and cetuximab + RT vs cisplatin and atezolizumab + RT; this study remains ...