Combined treatment with D‑allose, docetaxel and radiation inhibits the tumor growth in an in vivo model of head and neck cancer.

The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of one rare sugar, D‑allose, on normal human cells and cutaneous tissue, and to investigate the radiosensitizing and chemosensitizing potential of D‑allose in an in vivo model of head and neck cancer. Results indicated that D‑allose did not inhibit the growth of normal human fibroblasts TIG‑1 cells, and no apoptotic changes were observed after D‑allose and D‑glucose treatment. The mRNA expression levels of thioredoxin interacting protein (TXNIP) in TIG‑1 cells after D‑allose treatment increased by 2‑fold (50.4 to 106.5). Conversely, the mRNA expression levels of TXNIP in HSC3 cancer cells increased by 74‑fold (1.5 to 110.6), and the thioredoxin (TRX)/TXNIP ratio was markedly reduced from 61.7 to 1.4 following D‑allose treatment. Combined multiple treatments with docetaxel, radiation and D‑allose resulted in the greatest antitumor response in the in vivo model. Hyperkeratosis, epidermal thickening and tumor necrosis factor‑α immunostaining were observed following irradiation treatment, but these pathophysiological reactions were reduced following D‑allose administration. Thus, the present findings suggest that D‑allose may enhance the antitumor effects of chemoradiotherapy whilst sparing normal tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]