Objective  To explore the efficacy of nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-PTX) combined with platinum drugs in the treatment of head and neck tumors and its influence on the activity of natural killer (NK) cells.

  Methods  Totally 75 patients with head and neck tumors were randomly divided into two groups. Control group (n=38) was treated with paclitaxel (PTX) and platinum drugs, while observation group (n=37) was treated with nab-PTX and platinum drugs. The disease control rate (DCR), activity of NK cells as well as toxic and side effects were compared between the two groups at different time points. After a year of follow up, the survival rate of the two groups was compared.

  Results  The DCR of the observation group in 1 cycle, 2 and 4 cycles after treatment was significantly higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). The incidence rates of toxic and side effects such as peripheral neuritis, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, leucopenia and thrombocytopenia in the observation group were significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The activity of NK cells in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group at 2 and 4 cycles after treatment (P < 0.05). After a year of follow-up, the survival rate of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group, and the survival time was significantly longer than that of the control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

  Conclusion  The efficacy of nab-PTX combined with platinum drugs therapy is significant in patients with head and neck tumors, which can prolong the survival time, improve the activity of NK cells and reduce the incidence of adverse reactions.