AbstractNormal cells and cancer cells can be differentiated clearly during hypoglycemia because of the difference in the number of insulin receptors and the biologic response modification which insulin produces. This helps in targeting the chemotherapy drugs more specifically and effectively inside the cells. This occurs with reduced doses of chemotherapy drugs and minimizes their side effects. With this aim two patients with advanced and recurrent Head and Neck cancer were included in this pilot study and about one tenth the dose of chemotherapy with Carboplatin 75 mg and Gemcitabine 200 mg were given once weekly for six weeks during period of hypoglycemia produced every time by giving intravenous Insulin 0.1ug/kg. A complete response was achieved in one patient and other patient had a partial response and which responded to radiotherapy achieving a complete response. There was no side effect of the drug or hypoglycemia recorded by the patient. The survival was 11 months and 8 months respectively concluding that even one tenth the dose of chemotherapy given during hypoglycemia gives a very good clinical response with no side effects of the drugs.
Keywords: Insulin potentiation; Hypoglycemia;Low dose chemotherapy; Recurrent cancer.