Clinical impact of beta blockers in head neck cancer – a retrospective cohort analysis

Abstract

Introduction: Prolonged overall survival and reduced recurrence rates could be shown in breast, ovarian as well as lung cancer. Preclinical studies have proven that beta blockers increase the production of vascular endothelial growth factor which has an impact on angiogenesis. The study aimed to evaluate the association of beta blockers and cancer prognosis of head neck squamous cell cancer. Method(s): In this retrospective study, all patients with the initial diagnosis of oral cavity, oropharyngeal, hypopharyngeal and laryngeal carcinoma in 2011 were identified at the Department of Otolaryngology of the University Hospital Dusseldorf. Based on data from the five-year tumor follow-up, the impact of antihypertensive medication on overall survival and recurrence rates was compared. Result(s): This study analyzed a cohort of 48 patients. 17 patients were lost in the follow-up. In the remaining 31 patients, 40% received a therapy with beta-blockers. The primary indication was arterial hypertension. In the five-year follow-up, almost the same number of patients survived and died, regardless of the beta-blocker therapy. The mean survival did not differ (46.4 +/- 20.9 vs. 44.3 +/- 21.2 months). The age at death differed in favor of the beta-blocker cohort (72 vs. 61 years). An influence of beta-blockers on the recurrence rates could not be shown. Conclusion(s): An association of beta-blockers and the prognosis of head and neck cancer could not be proven. More extensive cohort analysis is necessary.