Sirolimus as a potential radiosensitizer in squamous cell cancer of the head and neck

✍ Scribed by Eric T. Shinohara; Amit Maity; Neha Jha; Robert A. Lustig

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2009
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 200 KB
• Volume: 31
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1043-3074
• DOI: 10.1002/hed.20898

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Background.

An estimated 34,000 cases of squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (HNSCC) will be diagnosed in 2007 with 7500 estimated deaths. Radiation is commonly used to treat these patients. Preclinical studies have suggested that sirolimus may be an effective radiosensitizer in HNSCC.

Methods.

The present case report describes a patient, status post liver transplant, who was switched to sirolimus for immunosupression. The patient subsequently underwent radiation therapy for a T2N0M0 SCC of the larynx.

Results.

The patient had an unusually early response to radiation, with a clinical complete response after 7 fractions of radiation. However, the patients also had toxicity earlier than expected and required a break from radiation after 11 fractions.

Conclusions.

To the authors' knowledge, this is the first observation to suggest that sirolimus is an effective radiosensitizer in patients with HNSCC. We hope that our results will create interest in future clinical studies. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2009