Publication details
Plasma levels of vascular endothelial growth factor during and after radiotherapy in combination with celecoxib in patients with advanced head and neck cancer
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2011 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Oral oncology |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Doi | http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.oraloncology.2011.05.009 |
| Field | Oncology and hematology |
| Keywords | Head and neck cancer; Celecoxib; Radiotherapy; VEGF; COX-2 expression |
| Description | Celebrex and radiotherapy in advanced head and neck cancer. This phase I dose-escalation study seeks to determine the phase II recommended dose of cyclooxygenase type 2 (COX-2) inhibitor in patients with locally advanced squamous cell head and neck (H&N) cancer, treated with accelerated radiotherapy. Anti-vasculogenic effect of this treatment on serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is examined. Patients were irradiated with curative intent (72 Gy in 6 weeks). Celecoxib was administered throughout the radiotherapy course. Serum VEGF level were tested during radiotherapy and in follow-up. Tumor specimens were stained to quantify the COX-2 expression. Thirty-two patients completed the treatment. The dose of celecoxib was escalated (200, 400 and 800 mg bid, then de-escalated to 600 mg bid). The acute toxicity related to the treatment in the first and second cohort did not reach grade III; in the third cohort three patients had grade III radiation toxicity and one had celecoxib-related toxicity. In the last fourth cohort the toxicity was acceptable. Significant VEGF level drop (p = 0.011) was found between radiation day 1 and post-treatment visit. Significant decrease (p = 0.022) of the VEGF level was shown in patients with high COX-2 expression in the tumor. Phase II recommended dose of celecoxib combined with accelerated radiotherapy in advanced H&N cancer was 600 mg bid. A significant decrease of the post-treatment serum VEGF level compared to the initial level was noticed only in patients with high COX-2 expression in tumors. |