Nanoparticle Paclitaxel (Nanoxel) as a Safe and Cost-Effective Radio-Sensitizer in Locally Advanced Head and Neck Carcinoma

Abstract

Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) is a common malignancy. It is the 7 th most common malignancy. Approximately 45,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the USA. In present study 10 patients were selected of age group between 40 - 60 years from Gwalior-Chambal region, among them 3 were females and 7 were males. 3 patients were suffering from tonsilitis, 4 from Laryngeal carcinoma, 2 from carcinoma in maxillary antrum and 1 patient was suffering from carcinoma of whole tongue. The aim of present study is to evaluate the safety of nanoparticle paclitaxel (Nanoxel, a plant alkaloid) in combination with radiation in the treatment of locally advanced head and neck carcinoma. Further the patients were divided in 2 groups. The 1 st group received nanoxel (plant alkaloid) administered concomitantly with radiation therapy. 2 nd group received gemcitabine administered in combination with radiation therapy. 9 patients showed response for the therapy. The adverse effects in arm A, 2 patients showed anemia less than 8 gm of Hemoglobin, 2 patient showed leucopenia and 1 patient showed diarrhoea, Nausea/vomiting were shown by 4 patients, in arm B, 1 patient showed leucopenia, 1 patient showed anemia less than 9 gm hemoglobin and 5 patient showed sensory neuropathy. Nanoxel (plant alkaloid) showed best results in the case of head and neck carcinoma. The dose of 30 mg/kg b.w showed best safety with best clinical effect in term of less time of patient admission (hardly 30 mins) with less side effects with greater clinical effects in our study.