Immune restoration in head and neck cancer patients after in vivo COX-2 inhibition.

Purpose: To determine the immunomodulatory effects of in vivo COX-2 inhibition on leukocyte infiltration and function in patients with head and neck cancer.

Experimental Design: Patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck preoperatively received a specific COX-2 inhibitor (rofecoxib, 25 mg daily) orally for 3 weeks. Serum and tumor specimens were collected at the start of COX-2 inhibition (day 0) and again on the day of surgery (day 21).