The following is a summary of “Loss of LRP1B expression drives acquired chemo and radio-resistance in HPV-positive head and neck cancer,” published in the November 2023  issue of Oncology by Shaikh, et al.

The patients who participated in the retrospective study were those who had been diagnosed with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (LA-HNSCC) and had been treated with cisplatin in a curative setting while also receiving radiation. The research was conducted to determine the risk factors that might potentially predict early cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity, an important dose-limiting factor.

Following the examination of a total of 350 patients diagnosed with LA-HNSCC, it was discovered that 204 of those patients had suffered from acute kidney injury (AKI) of any degree, with grade I being the most prevalent diagnosis. Individuals who were diagnosed with acute kidney injury (AKI) were administered high-dose cisplatin (100 mg/m² every 21 days) in 84.4% of cases. AKI was shown to have associations with a variety of factors, such as male sex, age, serum uric acid, creatinine, concomitant medicines, and cisplatin schedule, according to the information that was gathered via the use of univariate logistic regression. Under the multivariable model, significant associations were discovered between age, baseline creatinine, concomitant medications, and the cisplatin schedule (one-day bolus or fractionated high-dose vs weekly). These relationships were shown to be significant.

As a result of the study results, a more precise management plan may be performed when cisplatin is crucial. Identifying pre-treatment risk factors in patients with LA-HNSCC might assist with making decisions about therapy. Strict monitoring of acute kidney damage (AKI) can reduce the number of needless cisplatin dose adjustments, interruptions, and treatment delays, reducing the number of deleterious impacts on outcomes.

Source: sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1368837523002762