Efficacy Evaluation of the Combination of Valproic Acid and Standard Platinum-based Chemoradiation in Patients With Locally Advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Valproic acid is a known histone deacetylase inhibitor. In addition to activating apoptosis pathways, cell differentiation and downregulating expression of growth factors, it also promotes radiosensitization. Most patients with Head and Neck squamous cell carcinoma are diagnosed with locally advanced disease, in which long term disease control is still a challenge. The incorporation of epigenetic regulation into standard treatment could improve results of definitive platinum-based chemoradiation in such patients.