Head and Neck Cancers 

 Head and Neck Cancers are a group of biologically similar cancers that start predominantly in the lip, mouth, nasal cavity, sinuses and larynx. Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (designated HNSCC) make up the vast majority of head and neck cancers and arise from mucosal surfaces throughout this region. The most common risk factors associated with head and neck cancers are alcohol and tobacco. With early diagnosis cure rates are high.

Head and neck cancers are among the most prevalent with a worldwide incidence of over 500,000 cases annually. They account for 3% of cancer cases in the U.S. or about 40,000 cases per year.

Xenograft models with human tumor cells grown in immunodeficient mice are well-developed and useful for screening treatments. The xenograft models validated at Washington Biotechnology are robust, rapid and adaptable to a variety of dosing regimens with test compounds or test biologics for assessment of treatment efficacy.

Cultured human cell lines FaDu (Graph 1) and A253 (Graph 2) reliably provide consistent and rapid tumor growth in athymic nude mice. Measurements of tumor sizes by electronic calipers, tumor recoveries and weights on termination, cage-side observations and body weights are used to assess treatment efficacy. Further analysis by histopathology is available when warranted.
 

Graph 1     Tumor Growth: FaDu (human) cells

Graph 2     Tumor Growth: A253 (human) cells