Chemotherapy and Navelbine for salivary gland neoplasms – pro
Lay Summary: Navelbine has a role in treating salivary gland neoplasms.
Parotid glands tumors are relatively uncommon but they diverse and range from less to highly aggressive. Surgery is the primary treatment of choice for most neoplasm of salivary glands.Chemotherapy should be considered in special circumstances, when radiation or surgery are refused or when tumors are recurrent or nonresponsive. Numerous studies with small sample sizes have assessed the activity of different cytotoxic agents. Both single agent and combination chemotherapy have been used for the treatment of this disease. For these agents, the response rates are generally modest with objective response rates ranging from 15-50%. Duration of response is typically cited in the range of 6-9 months.
NCCN 2011 MS-6 says that available data for erlotinib or gelfitinib have not established them as treatment options in recurrent of metastatic parotid cancer.
Shang J, Shui Y, Sheng L, et al. Epidermal growth factor receptor and human epidermal growth receptor 2 expression in parotid mucoepidermoid carcinoma: possible implications for targeted therapy. Oncol Rep. Feb 2008;19(2):435-40