Barriers to early detection and treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in African American men.

Background: African Amercians afflicted with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) have a strikingly worse survival than do whites. One apparent cause is an advanced stage of presentation in African Americans. This study was designed to identify barriers to early treatment among African American men.

Modulation of tumor cell growth in vivo by extracellular matrix metalloprotease inducer.

Objective: To investigate if loss of extracellular matrix metalloprotease inducer (EMMPRIN) will inhibit the growth of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) tumor cell lines in vivo. Tumor cell-derived EMMPRIN is highly overexpressed in HNSCC and is thought to be induced by surrounding fibroblasts to stimulate matrix metalloproteases, which modulate tumor cell invasion, growth, and angiogenesis.

Design: In vivo study using FaDu tumor xenografts.

In vivo efficacy of marimastat and chemoradiation in head and neck cancer xenografts.

Objective: To assess the effect of combining a synthetic matrix metalloprotease inhibitor and chemoradiation therapy on tumor growth in a murine model of head and neck squamous-cell carcinoma (SCC).

Methods: Athymic, nude mice bearing SCC-1 xenografts were used to comprise 4 treatment groups: (1) control receiving vehicle alone, (2) marimastat alone, (3) cisplatin + radiation in combination and (4) marimastat + cisplatin + radiation in combination. The marimastat was administered at a dose of 8.

Fluorescently labeled cetuximab to evaluate head and neck cancer response to treatment.

Objective: Combining the therapeutic and diagnostic properties of targeted antibodies may improve clinical assessment of disease with limited added toxicity during treatment.

Methods: Mice (n = 10) were xenografted with SCC-1 tumor cells and then treated with radiation, cisplatin and cetuximab. Brightfield and fluorescent imaging was performed after systemically injecting fluorescently labeled cetuximab prior to treatment and at six or ten weeks after initiation of treatment.

Sensitivity and specificity of fluorescent immunoguided neoplasm detection in head and neck cancer xenografts.

Objectives: To determine whether fluorescently labeled anti-epidermal growth factor (EGFR) antibody could be used to detect residual disease and to guide surgical resections by comparing the sensitivity and specificity of optical fluorescence imaging with the sensitivity and specificity of histopathologic evaluation.

Design: A preclinical model of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Subjects: Mice xenografted with SCC-1 tumor cells.