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IGF1 prevents radiation‐induced salivary gland dysfunction which does not affect survival of head and neck tumors
Author(s) -
Victory Kerton R,
Limesand Kirsten H
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.24.1_supplement.930.3
Subject(s) - head and neck cancer , radiation therapy , medicine , head and neck squamous cell carcinoma , saliva , salivary gland , in vivo , cancer research , cancer , pathology , oncology , biology , microbiology and biotechnology
Radiation therapy for head and neck cancer results in severe secondary side effects in non‐tumor tissue which leads to reduced quality of life for patients. One of the most common secondary side effects is xerostomia, a syndrome that results from salivary glands not producing sufficient quantities of saliva. We developed a preclinical in vivo model where intravenous injection of insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐1) stimulated activation of the endogenous Akt in salivary glands. Treatment with IGF‐1 in FVB mice prior to ionizing radiation of the head and neck region preserved salivary function. To further understand the affect of IGF1 on tumor clearance in human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), we assessed levels of cell survival following gamma radiation. Treatment of human SCC with IGF1 showed no significant increase in tumor cells surviving after gamma radiation, as measured by both MTT and crystal violet assays. These studies suggest that IGF1 preserves salivary function in vivo and does not affect tumor cell proliferation or survival in vitro following radiotherapy. Currently we are investigating the effects on IGF1 in mice with SCC tumor xenographs. Targeting the IGF1 pathway may provide a treatment option that alleviates the secondary side effects of radiotherapy and improves the quality of life for head and neck cancer patients. Support: NIDCR RO1 (18888)