[The current value of induction chemotherapy. ASCO Congress 2010].

The aim of systemic induction chemotherapy is organ preservation and tumor downstaging to improve resectability and reduce surgical risk. Not only the prolongation of overall survival but also the entitlement to a better quality of life during the treatment of patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) have made changes to current treatment regimes necessary. Disappointing results prevented the breakthrough of PF therapy (cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil, 5-FU). New approaches using docetaxel, cisplatin and 5-FU (TPF) as a triple combination as well as the additional extension of novel biological targets within study designs are cause for fresh hope. Thus, the TPF combination has been established as the standard induction chemotherapy regime.