Background Local control rate (LCR) of early glottic cancer is high after radiation therapy or transoral laser microsurgery (TLM). The aim of this study was to investigate functional voice outcome after TLM using a microvessel‐ablative potassium‐titanyl‐phosphate (KTP) laser in comparison with a gold standard cutting CO2 laser. Methods The primary end point of this prospective, randomized, single‐blinded, clinical phase II study with control group was voice outcome during a follow‐up of 6 months assayed by Voice Handicap Index (VHI‐30)‐questionnaires in patients with unilateral high‐grade dysplasia, carcinoma in situ or early glottic cancer undergoing TLM‐KTP (n = 8) or TLM‐CO2 (n = 12). The secondary end point was LCR. Results Starting from the 9‐week‐follow‐up visit, TLM‐KTP yielded significantly reduced VHI scores compared to TLM‐CO2. No relapse occurred after TLM‐KTP in contrast to one recurrence after TLM‐CO2 within 6 months. Conclusion Multicenter phase II or III studies on voice outcome or local control rate after TLM‐KTP in early glottic cancer are warranted enrolling larger patient cohorts.

Abstract. Inhibition of the Polo-like-kinase-1 (PLK1) has been shown to be effective in a number of solid tumor models. In this in vitro study, we examined the antitumor effect of BI2536, a small molecule inhibitor of PLK1, in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) cell lines. Dose escalation studies were performed with nine SCCHN cell lines using BI2536. Growth inhibitory and proapoptotic effects were measured quantitatively using cytohistology and a Human Apoptosis Array Kit. BI2536 demonstrated a significant antiproliferative and apoptotic activity in all nine SCCHN cell lines investigated (p<0.009). Our results indicate that inhibition of PLK1 by BI2536 leads to an antiproliferative and apoptotic effect in SCCHN cell lines. In vivo and in the clinical setting, the application of BI2536 may support the antitumoral activity of conventional drugs that are in current use and could decrease the systemic toxicity of these drugs.

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Abstract. Inhibition of the polo-like-kinase-1 (PLK-1) has been shown to be effective in several haematological and solid tumor models. In this systemic in vitro study, the antitumor effect of BI2536, a small molecule inhibitor of PLK-1, in combination with cisplatin and docetaxel was examined in nine squamous cell carcinoma cell lines, most of which had a head and neck origin (SCCHN). Dose escalation studies were conducted with nine SCCHN cell lines using BI2536, cisplatin and docetaxel in cell line-specific concentrations. Growth inhibitory and proapoptotic effects were measured quantitatively using cytohistology and a Human Apoptose Array kit. BI2536 in combination with cisplatin and docetaxel showed a markedly higher antiproliferative and apoptotic activity in the SCCHN cell lines investigated (P≤0.008), compared with single agent cisplatin or docetaxel alone. The findings of this study showed that the addition of PLK-1-inhibitor BI2536 to conventional chemotherapeutic drugs led to a statistically higher antiproliferative and apoptotic effect in SCCHN cell lines compared with cisplatin or docetaxel alone. Inaugurating BI2536 in the clinical setting might enhance the antitumoral activity of conventional drugs, possibly leading to less toxic side effects of cancer therapy.