Antitumoral effect of PLK-1-inhibitor BI2536 in combination with cisplatin and docetaxel in squamous cell carcinoma cell lines of the head and neck.

Inhibition of the polo-like-kinase-1 (PLK-1) has been shown to be effective in several haematological and solid tumor models. In this systemic study, the antitumor effect of BI2536, a small molecule inhibitor of PLK-1, in combination with cisplatin and docetaxel was examined in nine squamous cell carcinoma cell lines, most of which had a head and neck origin (SCCHN). Dose escalation studies were conducted with nine SCCHN cell lines using BI2536, cisplatin and docetaxel in cell line-specific concentrations.

The role of recombinant epidermal growth factor and serotonin in the stimulation of tumor growth in a SCCHN xenograft model.

One challenge of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) chemotherapy is a small percentage of tumor cells that arrest in the G0 phase of the cell cycle and are thus not affected by chemotherapy. This could be one reason for tumor recurrence at a later date. The recruitment of these G0-arresting cells into the active cell cycle and thus, proliferation, may increase the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents.

Effects of the Polo-like-kinase-1-inhibitor BI2536 in squamous cell carcinoma cell lines of the head and neck.

Inhibition of the Polo-like-kinase-1 (PLK1) has been shown to be effective in a number of solid tumor models. In this in vitro study, we examined the antitumor effect of BI2536, a small molecule inhibitor of PLK1, in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) cell lines. Dose escalation studies were performed with nine SCCHN cell lines using BI2536.

The challenge of tumor heterogeneity--different phenotypes of cancer stem cells in a head and neck squamous cell carcinoma xenograft mouse model.

Background/aim: Besides late diagnosis, tumor metastasis and cancer relapse are the main reasons for the poor prognosis of patients with head and neck cancer. Several investigations have shown that tumor is of heterogeneous molecularity consisting of several subpopulations, with a broad range of biological behaviors. The ability and potential of tumor to infiltrate into vessels and into neighbouring organs, as well as the resistance to chemotherapeutical cancer therapy may be caused by cancer stem cells (CSCs).

Reirradiation with cetuximab in locoregional recurrent and inoperable squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: feasibility and first efficacy results.

Purpose: To report our experience with a prospective protocol of external beam reirradiation (Re-RT) combined with cetuximab for patients with inoperable, recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN).

Patients And Methods: Between August 2008 and June 2010, 18 patients with inoperable recurrence of SCCHN after adjuvant or definitive radiotherapy (RT) and simultaneous or sequential cisplatin-based chemotherapy for primary SCCHN were enrolled. Acute and late toxicity from the experimental regimen were recorded every week during RT and every 3 months thereafter.

Heterogeneity of primary site biopsies in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Aim: There is no common standard defining how biopsies for translational research purposes should be performed. In our study, the impact of two different biopsy methods on the results of immunohistochemical staining of the samples for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and the proliferation antigen Ki-67 were evaluated.

Patients And Methods: Twenty-four patients who underwent surgical treatment of their HNSCC tumour were included.

AdOnco database - six years' experience with the documentation of clinical and scientific data on patients with head and neck cancer.

Purpose: To report the experience with AdOnco, a computerized database for head and neck cancer patients.

Patients And Methods: AdOnco is a Filemaker Pro 6.0 based database integrated into the local network of the host ENT department.

Low-dose computed tomography of the paranasal sinus and facial skull using a high-pitch dual-source system--first clinical results.

Objective: Computed tomography (CT) of the paranasal sinus is the standard diagnostic tool for a wide range of indications in mostly younger patients. This study aims to assess the image quality of CT of the sinus by using a high-pitch dual-source technique with special regard to the radiation dose.

Methods: Examinations were performed on a second-generation dual-source CT with a pitch factor of 3.

Does dexamethasone inhibit the antineoplastic effect of cisplatin and docetaxel in head and neck cancer cells?

Background/aim: Comedication with glucocorticoids such as dexamethasone is frequently given to head and neck cancer patients treated with chemotherapy. However, an increasing body of evidence suggests that dexamethasone may induce resistance to antineoplastic agents. The present study was the first to investigate the effect of dexamethasone on the antiproliferative activity of cisplatin and docetaxel in vitro in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) cell lines.

Combined cetuximab and reirradiation for locoregional recurrent and inoperable squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Purpose: To investigate the feasibility, toxicity, and efficacy of external-beam reirradiation (Re-RT) combined with cetuximab for patients with inoperable and recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN).

Patients And Methods: Seven patients with inoperable recurrence of SCCHN after adjuvant or definitive radiotherapy (RT) and simultaneous or sequential cisplatin-based chemotherapy for primary SCCHN were treated between August and December 2008 with Re-RT (1.8 Gy/fraction to 50.

Does dexamethasone inhibit anticancer activity of cetuximab in squamous cell carcinoma cell lines of the head and neck?

Glucocorticoids such as dexamethasone are widely used as comedication in the treatment of head and neck cancer, e.g., to improve appetite and decrease weight loss and fatigue in patients with advanced disease or as antiallergic and antiemetic prophylaxis during anti-EGFR therapy.

Effects of combination treatment of bortezomib and dexamethasone in SCCHN cell lines depend on tumor cell specificity.

Bortezomib has recently become the new treatment standard for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. We previously demonstrated that bortezomib also had a significant growth-inhibiting and apoptotic effect on squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) cells in vitro. Preclinical evidence has provided a rationale for combining bortezomib with dexamethasone in multiple myeloma, suggesting that the therapeutic effects of the two agents might be additive.

Cetuximab enhances the efficacy of bortezomib in squamous cell carcinoma cell lines.

Purpose: Proteasome inhibition has been shown to be effective in multiple myeloma and solid tumor models. In this in vitro study, we investigated the antitumor effect of bortezomib (Velcade) in combination with cetuximab in squamous cell carcinoma cell lines (SCC).

Methods: Dose-escalation studies were performed in five squamous cell carcinoma cell lines using bortezomib or cetuximab alone or in combination.

Craniofacial reconstructions with bone-anchored epithesis in head and neck cancer patients--a valid way back to self-perception and social reintegration.

Background: Patients with advanced head and neck cancer often require radical and mutilating surgery resulting in severe impairment of their aesthetic self-perception and social life. Cosmetically satisfying results associated with high aesthetic self-perception and social reintegration are possible with bone-anchored epithesis representing a serious alternative to craniofacial reconstructive techniques using regional and free tissue transfer.

Patients And Methods: Five head and neck cancer patients treated in our Ear, Nose and Throat Department in the years 2003-2004 were evaluated after epithesial reconstruction.

Effect of bortezomib and cetuximab in EGF-stimulated HNSCC.

Background: Proteasome inhibition has been shown to be effective in multiple myeloma and solid tumor models. In this in vitro study, the antitumor effect of bortezomib (Velcade) in combination with cetuximab was investigated in epidermal growth factor (EGF)-stimulated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines (HNSCC).

Materials And Methods: Dose escalation studies were performed with five EGF-stimulated squamous cell carcinoma cell lines using bortezomib alone or in combination with cetuximab.

Effect of bortezomib on EGFR expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines.

Background: Overexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has often been correlated with poor prognosis. Recent investigations have shown that the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib exhibits a high antiproliferative and apoptotic activity in HNSCC cell lines. The present study investigated whether bortezomib has an effect on EGFR expression in different squamous cell carcinoma cell lines.

Iron oxide particle-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging for detection of benign lymph nodes in the head and neck: how reliable are the results?

Aim: To evaluate the accuracy of ultrasmall paramagnetic iron oxide (USPIO: Sinerem)-enhanced MRI in patients with head and neck cancer and enlarged lymph nodes compared with current staging examinations using histology as a gold standard.

Patients And Methods: Seventeen patients with a histologically proven squamous cell cancer of the head and neck (SCCHN) and different N-stages underwent a non-enhanced and a USPIO-enhanced MRI examination. Signal intensity (SI) was measured in a region of interest evaluation.

Antiproliferative activity of bortezomib alone and in combination with cisplatin or docetaxel in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines.

Purpose: Proteasome inhibition has been shown to be effective in multiple myeloma and solid tumor models. In this in vitro study, we investigated the antitumor effect of bortezomib (Velcade((R))) in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) cell lines and examined the interaction of the drug with docetaxel (TAX) and cisplatin (CDDP).

Methods: Dose escalation studies were performed with eight squamous cell carcinoma cell lines using bortezomib alone or in combination with TAX or CDDP.

Enhancement of docetaxel efficacy in head and neck cancer treatment by G0 cell stimulation.

Objectives: Docetaxel has recently taken part in new chemotherapy regimens with promising activity especially in the first line therapy (induction chemotherapy) of head and neck cancer (SCCHN). Nevertheless a major problem concerning the response of SCCHN to chemotherapy is the high percentage of resting cells (G0-phase cells) being resistant to chemotherapy. To overcome this phenomenon we have investigated the capacity of several cytokines to switch on cells into division cycle and progress to the chemosensitive phases (S, M-phase).

Demands on caring relatives of head and neck cancer patients.

Background: Relatives of cancer patients experience high levels of stress that influence the quality of life of these individuals. To investigate whether there is a necessity for simultaneous supportive care of patient relatives, we performed for the first time a study asking the closest relatives of head and neck cancer patients about their needs during and after the treatment to consider how to optimize the situation for such patient groups.

Material And Methods: Patients' relatives were assessed using an anonymous self-report questionnaire that was established in our department by expanding on a questionnaire for cancer patients' relatives from the psycho-oncologic society in Switzerland.

Inverse correlation between serum PGE2 and T classification in head and neck cancer.

Background: Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) serum levels have been shown previously to be increased in tumor bearing mice as well as in patients with solid tumors; however, the impact on the course or stage of disease has not been shown. We hypothesized that PGE2 is strictly required for aggressive and especially early-stage tumors of the head and neck to provoke invasion and angiogenesis.

Methods: We analyzed the serum PGE2 levels of 100 patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma of different stages before and 1 year after treatment and compared the results with the serum levels of 40 healthy donors and the secretion profile of 8 different squamous cell carcinoma cell lines.

Usefulness of MRI volumetric evaluation in patients with squamous cell cancer of the head and neck treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Background: The purpose was to evaluate the efficacy of tumor volumetry on MRI as predictive of response to treatment with induction chemotherapy, comparing the results with endoscopy.

Methods: Fifty patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SSCHN) who underwent MRI volumetry before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy consisting of docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil (TPF) were included in this study. The tumor volume was calculated by a slice-by-slice evaluation.

A phase II trial of docetaxel, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil in patients with recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN).

Background: In this phase II study, for the first time the efficacy and toxicity of triple chemotherapy with docetaxel, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (TPF) in patients with recurrent head and neck cancer was evaluated.

Patients And Methods: Twenty-four patients with stage IV (UICC) recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN), with different tumor sites, were treated with a polychemotherapy consisting of docetaxel 75 mg/m2 day 1, cisplatin 100 mg/m2 day 1 and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) 1000 mg/m2 days 1 through 4 (total dose 4000 mg/m2) on days 1, 22 and 43, for a maximum of 3 cycles. The performance status of all patients at the start of the chemotherapy was 0-2, according to the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG).

Adjuvant docetaxel, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (TPF) in locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Background: In this phase II study, the efficacy and toxicity of a triple chemotherapy with docetaxel, cisplatin and 5- Fluorouracil (TPF) was evaluated in the adjuvant therapy of locoregionally advanced cancer of the head and neck. This represented the first use of polychemotherapy as single adjuvant therapy after surgery.

Patients And Methods: Twenty patients with stage II-IV (UICC) squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) were treated by surgery of the primary and the regional lymph nodes.

Prestimulation of head and neck cancer cells with growth factors enhances treatment efficacy.

Objectives: In recent years, new chemotherapy regimens with promising activity, especially in first-line therapy (induction chemotherapy) of head and neck cancer (SCCHN), have been developed. Nevertheless, a major problem concerning the response of SCCHN to chemotherapy is the high percentage of resting cells (G0-phase cells) being resistant to chemotherapy. To overcome this phenomenon, the capacity of several cytokines to switch on cells into the division cycle and progress to the chemosensitive phases (S-, M-phases) was investigated.