A cytokine-delivering polymer is effective in reducing tumor burden in a head and neck squamous cell carcinoma murine model.

ObjectiveThis 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 DesignIn vivo study.SettingAcademic research laboratory.Subjects and MethodsMice 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).ResultsThe cisplatin-secreting polymer effectively reduced tumors in the mice by more than 16-fold (P < .01). We also observed a statisti...