Open AccessA Cytokine‐Delivering Polymer Is Effective in Reducing Tumor Burden in a Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Murine Model
Author(s) -
Lin Yuan,
Luo Jie,
Zhu Weichao Eric,
Srivastava Minu,
Schaue Dorthe,
Elashoff David A.,
Dubinett Steven M.,
Sharma Sherven,
Wu Benjamin,
St. John Maie A.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
otolaryngology–head and neck surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.232
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1097-6817
pISSN - 0194-5998
DOI - 10.1177/0194599814533775
Subject(s) - head and neck squamous cell carcinoma , cisplatin , cancer research , in vivo , medicine , cytokine , ccl21 , polymer , biomedical engineering , materials science , chemistry , urology , pathology , head and neck cancer , radiation therapy , chemotherapy , biology , inflammation , chemokine , composite material , microbiology and biotechnology , chemokine receptor
Objective This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of a novel polymer platform delivering cisplatin and cytokines in the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Study Design In vivo study. Setting Academic research laboratory. Subjects and Methods Mice were randomized to receive implantation of (1) no polymer, (2) plain polymer, (3) plain polymer with local cisplatin injection, or (4) cisplatin polymer. The 2 groups of mice implanted with cisplatin polymer or no polymer were further randomized to receive (1) 4 Grays external beam radiation for 4 days or (2) no radiation. For cytokine studies, mice were grouped into (1) no polymer, (2) plain polymer, (3) plain polymer with intratumoral injection of recombinant CCL21 twice a week, (4) polymer containing parental dendritic cells, or (5) polymer containing dendritic cells secreting CCL21 (DC‐CCL21). Results The cisplatin‐secreting polymer effectively reduced tumors in the mice by more than 16‐fold ( P <. 01). We also observed a statistically significant lower tumor weight among mice treated with cisplatin polymer and concomitant radiation compared to control groups. The DC‐CCL21 polymer reduced SCCVII/SF tumors in the C3H/HeJ mice by more than 41% ( P <. 01). Conclusion Herein, we demonstrate the efficacy of a novel polymer platform in delivering cisplatin and cytokines. We also demonstrate that we can effectively grow dendritic cells in the polymer that can actively secrete CCL21 for a minimum of 5 days. This polymer may represent a new therapeutic modality for patients with HNSCC. Once this polymer platform is optimized, we will plan to pursue prospective trials in patients with HNSCC.