What Researchers Did
Researchers conducted a prospective randomized trial comparing a regimen of misonidazole, hyperbaric oxygen, and irradiation with standard irradiation in 114 patients with advanced inoperable squamous carcinoma of the mouth.
What They Found
In a pilot study, the one and two year disease free survival for patients treated with misonidazole, hyperbaric oxygen, and irradiation was 48% and 26%, respectively. Preliminary results from the subsequent randomized trial at 6 and 12 months favored the combination regimen of sensitizers, with no added toxicity observed.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
These preliminary findings suggest that combining sensitizers like misonidazole and hyperbaric oxygen with irradiation could potentially improve outcomes for Canadian patients with advanced head and neck cancer. However, given the preliminary nature and age of the study, current treatment guidelines and more recent evidence would need to be considered for clinical application.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
A significant limitation is that this is an interim report presenting only preliminary results from the randomized trial, with long-term outcomes and full patient cohort analysis still pending.