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

Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) is a common malignancy. It is the 7th 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 1st group received nanoxel (plant alkaloid) administered concomitantly with radiation therapy. 2nd 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.