Objective
To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of a novel modular polymer platform in the treatment of HNSCC.
Study Design
in vivo study.
Setting
Academic research laboratory.
Subjects and Methods
C3H/HeJ mice and SCID Beige mice were randomized to receive implantation of (1) no polymer; (2) plain polymer; (3) plain polymer with local cisplatin injection; (4) cisplatin polymer. The two groups of mice implanted with cisplatin polymer or no polymer were further randomized to receive (1) 4 Grays external beam radiation for 4 days; (2) no radiation. Tumor size was measured until the mice were euthanized. At necropsy, the tumors were excised and weighed.
Results
Our results using this novel polymer platform demonstrate a significant reduction in tumor growth. The cisplatin secreting polymer effectively reduced human head and neck tumor growth in SCID mice by 17 fold (P < 0.01); and SCCVII/SF tumors in the C3H/HeJ mice by over 16-fold (P < 0.01) as compared to control, plain polymer, and plain polymer + intratumoral cisplatin injection groups. We also observed a statistically significant lower tumor weight among mice treated with cisplatin polymer and concomitant radiation compared to the radiation alone group and the control group.
Conclusion
Herein we demonstrate the efficacy of a novel polymer platform in delivering cisplatin to a partially resected SCC in a murine model. Our results indicate that this polymer may represent a new therapeutic modality for patients with HNSCC. Once this polymer platform is optimized we will plan for validation in the context of a prospective trial in patients with unresectable advanced or recurrent HNSCC.
