Dataset Information

Blood transfusion during radical chemo-radiotherapy does not reduce tumour hypoxia in squamous cell cancer of the head and neck.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) undergoing radical chemo-radiation (CRT) frequently receive transfusion with packed red cells (PRCT) during radiotherapy on the basis that PRCT increases tumour oxygenation and overcomes hypoxia-induced radio-resistance. This is likely to be a significant oversimplification given the fact that tumour hypoxia is the result of several intrinsic and extrinsic factors, including many that are not directly related to serum haemoglobin (Hb). Therefore, we have studied the effect of PRCT on tumour oxygenation in a prospective cohort of patients who developed low Hb during radical CRT for HNSCC.

Methods

This was a prospective study of 20 patients with HNSCC receiving radical CRT undergoing PRCT for Hb<11.5?g?dl^-1. Patients underwent pretransfusion and posttransfusion intrinsic susceptibility-weighted (SWI) MRI and dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI. Blood samples were obtained at the time of MRI scanning and two further time points for measuring Hb and a panel of serum cytokine markers of tumour hypoxia. 3D T₂* and K^trans maps were calculated from the MRI data for primary tumours and cervical lymph node metastases.

Results

PRCT produced no change (11 patients) or reduced (1 patient) T₂* (tumour oxygenation) in 12 of the 16 (75%) evaluable primary tumours. Three of the four patients with improved tumour oxygenation progressed or had partial response following treatment completion. There were variable changes in K^trans (tumour perfusion or vessel permeability) following PRCT that were of small magnitude for most tumours. Pre- and Post-PRCT levels of measured cytokines were not significantly different.

Conclusions

This study suggests that PRCT during radical CRT for HNSCC does not improve tumour oxygenation. Therefore, oncologists should consider changing practice according to NICE and American Association of Blood Banks guidelines on PRCT for anaemia.

SUBMITTER: Welsh L

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5220150 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Blood transfusion during radical chemo-radiotherapy does not reduce tumour hypoxia in squamous cell cancer of the head and neck.

Welsh Liam L Panek Rafal R Riddell Angela A Wong Kee K Leach Martin O MO Tavassoli Mahvash M Rahman Durdana D Schmidt Maria M Hurley Tara T Grove Lorna L Richards Thomas T Koh Dow-Mu DM Nutting Christopher C Harrington Kevin K Newbold Kate K Bhide Shreerang S

British journal of cancer 20161124 1

<h4>Background</h4>Patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) undergoing radical chemo-radiation (CRT) frequently receive transfusion with packed red cells (PRCT) during radiotherapy on the basis that PRCT increases tumour oxygenation and overcomes hypoxia-induced radio-resistance. This is likely to be a significant oversimplification given the fact that tumour hypoxia is the result of several intrinsic and extrinsic factors, including many that are not directly related to serum ...[more]

PMID: 27884018

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Dataset Information

Blood transfusion during radical chemo-radiotherapy does not reduce tumour hypoxia in squamous cell cancer of the head and neck.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Blood transfusion during radical chemo-radiotherapy does not reduce tumour hypoxia in squamous cell cancer of the head and neck.

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