Sirolimus as a potential radiosensitizer in squamous cell cancer of the head and neck.
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.
Shinohara
Eric T
ET
Department of Radiation Oncology, Abramson Cancer Center, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.
Maity
Amit
A
Jha
Neha
N
Lustig
Robert A
RA
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020123:Sirolimus / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; D020123:Sirolimus