Health Care Global Limited (HCG), the largest dedicated oncology care company in the private hospital segment with 20 centres in South Asia, has completed a clinical trial on new monoclonal antibody with platinum drugs in recurrent Head and Neck cancer - phase-II study.

Although the details of the human study were not disclosed, the hospital is now making concrete efforts to focus on Investigator Initiated Trials for head and neck cancer. The objective of the Investigator Initiated Trials is that it is conducted by experts having a good knowledge of disease and drug research. The latest drugs to treat this disease are Docetaxel, Biomab, Cetuxomab, Tarceva, Geftinib and Xeloda. Investigator Initiated Trials helps to ascertain a new combination of treatment from the existing drugs, KS Gopinath, Director, HCG.

During the head and neck cancer week being held between April 12 and 17, oncologists have expressed that the biggest challenge is on the approach to make early detection and look at organ preservation treatment to further enhance the quality of life.

Since 1989, HCG has treated around 1.50 lakh head and neck cancer cases in various stages of the disease. With head and neck cancer incidence estimated to be 35 per one lakh population and affecting the productive age group, we are making efforts to look at organ preservation, targeted radio therapy, targeted biological therapy, better chemotherapy, rehabilitation, prevention, regular screening and awareness programmes to cut down the morbidity of the disease which affects regions including gums, tongue, mouth lining, nasal cavity, salivary glands and ear. The cause of this cancer is tobacco chewing or smoking. Alcohol abuse also adds to this along with Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infections which could cause oro-pharyngal cancer to some, he added.

HCG's focus is to promote abstinence from tobacco and alcohol, early diagnosis with oral self examination to improve multi-modality therapy. It has also introduced Cyber Knife, a robotic radio surgery system for treatment of both cancerous and non-cancerous tumours anywhere in the body last year. Around 50 patients were referred for treatment for Head and Neck tumours using this novel non invasive technology.

From Karnataka Biocon has developed the BioMAB EGFR which is used for locally advanced cancers along with radio therapy. "This drug is also useful for metastatic cancer along with Cis-platinum and for elderly and unfit patients as a single agent. In fact, the company has also teamed up with HCG to evaluate the potential benefits BIOMAb EGFR in cervical cancer patients. Around 20 per cent of patient numbers necessary for the study are already recruited," said Dr Radheshyam Nayak, Consultant Medical Oncologist, HCG.