Enhanced growth inhibition of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck by combination therapy of fusaric acid and paclitaxel or carboplatin

Combination of a single dose of paclitaxel with three different dosages of FA resulted in significant (P<0.001) reductions in cell number from controls, paclitaxel alone, and FA treatments alone at four different time points. Combination of a single dose of carboplatin with three different dosages of FA resulted in significant (P<0.001) reductions in cell number from controls and carboplatin treatment alone at 72 and 96 h. Our data suggest that these combinations may provide an enhanced anti-tumor effect with respect to HNSCC. Since, FA can be administered orally, this regimen may introduce a paradigm change in chemotherapy for HNSCC.