Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Research Articles

XCT as a Predictor for Survival in a Population-Based Cohort of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

xCT, also known as SLC7A11 (solute carrier Family 7 Member 11), is a cystine/glutamate antiporter protein that mediates regulated cell death and antioxidant defense. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of xCT on the outcome of patients diagnosed with new head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). This retrospective cohort study utilized a population-based dataset, comprising all patients (n = 1033) diagnosed with new HNSCC during 2005-2015 in a population of 697,000 people. All patients (n = 585) with a tumor tissue sample available for immunohistochemical (IHC) staining were included. The follow-up rates were 97% and 81% at 3 and 5 years, respectively. Also, the specificity of the anti-xCT antibody was validated. The expression level and prognostic significance of xCT were strongly dependent on tumor location. In oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) patients, xCT expression was a significant prognostic factor for 5-year overall survival (OAS) (HR: 2.71; 95% CI 1.67-4.39; p < 0.001), disease-specific survival (DSS) (HR: 2.58; 95% CI 1.47-4.54; p = 0.001), and disease-free survival (DFS) (HR: 2.69; 95% CI 1.55-4.64; p < 0.001). Five-year survival rates for OPSCC patients with high and low levels of xCT were OAS 34% versus 62%; DSS 51% versus 73%; DFS 43% versus 73%, respectively. According to a multivariate model adjusted for age, T-class, nodal positivity, and tobacco consumption, xCT was an independent prognostic factor for 3-year survival, in which it outperformed p16 IHC. Similar associations were not observed in squamous cell carcinomas of oral cavity or larynx. Regarding treatment modalities, xCT was most predictive in HNSCC patients who received radiotherapy. High xCT expression was associated with poor prognosis in OPSCC. Our findings suggest that joint analysis of xCT and p16 may add significant value in OPSCC treatment stratification.

Optimum radiation dose for palliation in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (OpRAH) – A phase 3 randomized controlled trial

PurposeRadiotherapy is frequently employed for palliative treatment in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) but radiation dose fractionation regimens are not well-defined. We designed this phase 3 randomized controlled trial to compare two weekly hypo fractionated regimes and study the effect on progression-free survival (PFS) in this subset of patients. Materials and MethodsNon-metastatic locally advanced HNSCC patients (n = 305) who were not suitable for curative treatment were randomized to Arm A (20 Gy/5#/5 days) and Arm B (30 Gy/5#/5 days). PFS and OS were recorded along with acute toxicity using patient-reported quality of life HN QLQ 43. ResultsFrom April 2020 to August 2023, 390 patients were randomized, of which 305 were eligible for final analysis. At a median follow-up of 13.9 months, PFS and median overall survival (OS) for the entire cohort was 7.4 and 10.03 months, respectively. PFS (p-0.553) and OS (p-0.203) did not differ significantly between the two groups. Toxicity rates were similar between the two arms and dose escalation was well tolerated. Patients with a better PS were found to have significantly better OS. No significant benefit in OS or PFS was observed in patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT), underwent definitive conversion, or received palliative chemotherapy at progression. ConclusionThis is the largest phase 3 RCT to analyze the safety and efficacy of weekly palliative radiotherapy regimens and has not demonstrated further improvement with dose escalation

Efficacy and Safety of Biosimilar Cetuximab Versus Innovator Cetuximab in Indian Patients With Head and Neck Cancer: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Phase III Trial.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) is the sixth most common cancer, with approximately 225,419 new cases with over 125,000 deaths annually in India. This trial compared the efficacy and safety of biosimilar cetuximab versus innovator cetuximab (IC) in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy in patients with recurrent locoregional or metastatic SCCHN. This phase III trial is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind and parallel group study performed in Indian patients with recurrent locoregional or metastatic SCCHN. Patients were randomly assigned in 2:1 ratio to receive biosimilar cetuximab and IC in combination with cisplatin and fluorouracil via intravenous infusions. The primary end points were disease control rate (DCR) and overall response rate (ORR) as per response evaluation criteria in solid tumors version 1.1. The secondary end points included pharmacokinetics (PK), immunogenicity, safety, and tolerability. Of 180 patients enrolled, 120 patients received biosimilar cetuximab and 60 patients received IC treatment. No significant statistical difference was observed in the primary outcomes between two groups. Treatment difference in DCR and ORR response was found to be -5.21 (90% CI, -8.94 to -1.48) and -4.79 (90% CI, -19.42 to 9.84), respectively, indicating noninferiority to reference product. The incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs; biosimilar cetuximab: 89.2% v IC: 91.7%; P = .8364) and serious AEs (biosimilar cetuximab: 23.3% v IC: 13.3%; P = .0603) and PK parameters were comparable between treatment groups. The immunogenicity findings showed higher incidence of anticetuximab antibodies in the biosimilar cetuximab group compared with the IC group at the end of Study. The findings of this study demonstrated noninferiority along with comparable PK, safety, and immunogenicity of biosimilar cetuximab and IC in patients with recurrent or metastatic SCCHN.

FTO in oral diseases: Functions, mechanisms, and therapeutic potential.

Fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) is the first identified N6-methyladenosine (m6A) demethylase widely distributed in various tissues in adults and children. It plays an essential role in diverse mRNA-associated processes including transcriptional stability, selective splicing, mRNA translocation, and also protein translation. Recently, emerging studies have shown that FTO is involved in the genesis and development of oral diseases. However, the correlation between FTO and oral diseases and its specific regulatory mechanism still needs further study. In this review, we will summarize the discovery, distribution, gene expression, protein structure, biological functions, inhibitors, and quantifying methods of FTO, as well as its regulatory role and mechanism in oral diseases. Notably, FTO genetic variants are strongly associated with periodontal diseases (PDs), temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA), and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Besides, the latest studies that describe the relationship between FTO and PDs, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCCs), TMJOA, and OSA will be discussed. We elaborate on the regulatory roles of FTO in PDs, HNSCCs, and TMJOA, which are modulated through cell proliferation, cell migration, apoptosis, bone metabolism, and immune response. The review will enrich our understanding of RNA epigenetic modifications in oral diseases and present a solid theoretical foundation for FTO to serve as a novel diagnosis and prognostic biomarker for oral diseases.

Tumor Hyperprogression in Squamous Cell Carcinomas of Head and Neck after Immunotherapy: Our Perspective

Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide. Although there have been some advances in multimodality therapy, the overall 5-year survival rate remains poor approximately at 40%-50%. Currently, Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor (ICI) based Immunotherapies are being evaluated as an alternate treatment modality for recurrent/metastatic HNSCCs in clinical trials.

Performance of an Oral Rinse Point-Of-Care Assay to aid in the diagnosis of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) in a High-Risk Danish Ear-Nose Throat (ENT) Clinic

Abstract Objectives Oral examination and biopsy are established methods for early detection of oral/oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OOSCC). The aim of the current study was to evaluate performance of a point-of-care (POC) assay to aid in the diagnosis of head and neck cancer. Materials and methods 150 consecutive patients were enrolled from a high-risk ear nose and throat clinic at the Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen, Denmark. A positive POC test represented as a CD44 band or elevated level of total protein (TP) was correlated with biopsy results and then evaluated with sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp), PPV, NPV and multivariate models. Results 119 patients enrolled between January 2016 and April 2017. Presence of a CD44 band or TP ≥3: Se of 73% (95% CI 57.0–84.6%), Sp of 50% (95% CI 39.4–60.5%), and NPV of 94.77% (95% CI 84.12–98.33%). CD44 band or TP of ≥ 2 for non-smkers and ≥ 3 for smokers improved performance: Se 81% (95%CI 66–90%) and Sp 33% (95%CI 24–44%), NPV of 94%. Multivariate models with male gender and ≥ 60 years: Se of 84% (95%CI 67–92%) and Sp of 37% (95%CI 27–47%), NPV of 95%. Non-biopsied, healthy, non-smoking, females (n = 17): Sp of 78%. Conclusions POC assay performed well for identifying OOSCC in a prospective clinical trial. Clinical features such as age, smoking status and gender are important variables in assessing risk. Additional studies are underway to further confirm these results including the incorporation of a version 2 POC device.

Two-color fluorescence-guided surgery for head and neck cancer resections.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has the sixth highest incidence worldwide, with cases annually. Surgery is the primary treatment option for HNSCC, during which surgeons balance two main goals: (1)complete cancer resection and (2)preservation of normal tissues to ensure post-surgical quality of life. Unfortunately, these goals are not synergistic, where complete cancer resection is often limited by efforts to preserve normal tissues, particularly nerves, and reduce life-altering comorbidities. Currently, no clinically validated technology exists to enhance intraoperative cancer and nerve recognition. Fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS) has successfully integrated into clinical medicine, providing surgeons with real-time visualization of important tissues and complex anatomy, where FGS imaging systems operate almost exclusively in the near-infrared (NIR, 650 to 900nm). Notably, this spectral range permits the detection of two NIR imaging channels for spectrally distinct detection. Herein, we evaluated the utility of spectrally distinct NIR nerve- and tumor-specific fluorophores for two-color FGS to guide HNSCC surgery. Using a human HNSCC xenograft murine model, we demonstrated that facial nerves and tumors could be readily differentiated using these nerve- and tumor-specific NIR fluorophores. The selected nerve-specific fluorophore showed no significant difference in nerve specificity and off-target tissue fluorescence in the presence of xenograft head and neck tumors. Co-administration of two NIR fluorophores demonstrated successful tissue-specific labeling of nerves and tumors in spectrally distinct NIR imaging channels. We demonstrate a comprehensive FGS tool for cancer resection and nerve sparing during HNSCC procedures for future clinical translation.

Assessing the oral microbiome of head and neck cancer patients before and during radiotherapy.

To characterize the oral microbiome of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) before and during radiotherapy (RT), compared to healthy individuals. Evaluating the impact of oral microbiome in the clinical outcomes one year following the end of RT. Oral samples were collected from HNSCC patients who underwent RT using the following regimens: no dose received (T0), dose 12-16Gy (T1), dose 30-36Gy (T2) and dose ≥ 60Gy (T3). Samples from healthy individuals were also collected only once as a control group. Regions V1-V2 of the 16S rRNA were sequenced by Illumina and analyzed using Mothur. 49 patients with HNSCC and 25 healthy individuals were included. At T0, HNSCC patients showed a lower abundance of Firmicutes and Streptococcus (p = 0.011, p = 0.002) and a higher abundance of Bacteroidetes (p = 0.005) compared to healthy individuals. During RT, Fusobacterium (p = 0.017) and Porphyromonas (p = 0.0008) decreased, while Streptococcus increased at T1 (p = 0.001). By T3, the differences in Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Streptococcus between the control and HNSCC groups were no longer significant (p > 0.3). Patients with higher initial abundances of Porphyromonas (p = 0.012) and Fusobacterium (p = 0.017) had poorer outcomes, including recurrence, metastasis, and death. In contrast, disease-free patients had a higher abundance of Streptococcus (p = 0.004). Oral microbiome dysbiosis was found in HNSCC patients. By the end of RT, the main initial differences in phylum and genus abundance observed at T0 between the control and HNSCC groups were no longer present. Higher abundances of Fusobacterium and Porphyromonas were associated with poor outcomes.

Cardiovascular adverse events and immune-related adverse events associated with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC)

While some literature has provided limited information about the potential cardiovascular risk and immune-related adverse events (irAEs) risk associated with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in the treatment of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC), the exact relevance is still uncertain. To assess the pharmacovigilance (PV), constituent ratio, severity, and reaction outcomes of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and immune-related adverse events (irAEs) related to PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors for HNSCC reported to the United States Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). We analyzed reports of cardiovascular adverse events and irAEs associated with drug therapy for HNSCC submitted to FAERS from the 1st quarter 2015 to the 3rd quarter of 2023. Three PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors were identified: nivolumab, pembrolizumab and durvalumab. Our primary composite endpoint was the PV of MACE and irAEs related to PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in the treatment of HNSCC, and the secondary endpoint was PV of other cardiovascular events. The software implemented was STATA 17.0 MP. 19,372 suspected drug-adverse event reports related to drug treatment in patients with HNSCC were identified, of which 916 reports were cardiovascular events, including 555 reports of MACE and 361 reports of other cardiovascular events. The PV signal regarding MACE was detected in durvalumab (PRR = 2.12, 95% CI: 1.24–3.61; χ2 = 7.71; ROR = 2.19, 95% CI: 1.24–3.86; IC = 1.01; IC025 = 0.07) but not in nivolumab and pembrolizumab. The constituent ratio of MACE in all adverse events caused by nivolumab (OR = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.19–0.73) and pembrolizumab (OR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.23–0.99) was significantly decreased, compared with durvalumab. A PV signal about other cardiovascular events was detected in durvalumab (PRR = 3.04, 95% CI: 1.73–5.31; χ2 = 16.13; ROR = 3.15, 95% CI: 1.74–5.70; IC = 1.46; IC025 = 0.48), but it was not detected in nivolumab or pembrolizumab. The constituent ratio of other cardiovascular events in all adverse events caused by nivolumab (OR = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.13–0.48) and pembrolizumab (OR = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.20–0.80) was significantly decreased, compared with durvalumab. The constituent ratio of other cardiovascular events in all adverse events caused by nivolumab (OR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.38–0.99) was significantly decreased, compared with pembrolizumab. There were 40 cases of hypertension. A PV signal about hypertension was detected in pembrolizumab (PRR = 3.72, 95% CI: 1.87–7.43; χ2 = 15.99; ROR = 3.75, 95% CI: 1.87–7.51; IC = 1.53, IC025 = 0.45), but it was not detected in nivolumab. The constituent ratio of hypertension in all adverse events caused by nivolumab (OR = 0.09, 95% CI: 0.09–0.39) was significantly decreased, compared with pembrolizumab. There were 737 cases of irAEs. A PV signal about irAEs was detected in nivolumab (PPR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.05–1.53; χ2 = 6.38; ROR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.06–1.56; IC = 0.29, IC025 = −0.00) and pembrolizumab (PPR = 2.20, 95% CI: 1.79–2.71; χ2 = 56.55; ROR = 2.31, 95% CI: 1.84–2.88; IC = 1.03; IC025 = 0.68), but it was not detected in durvalumab. The constituent ratio of irAEs in all adverse events caused by nivolumab (OR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.44–0.76) significantly decreased, compared with pembrolizumab. By comparing the PV signals, constituent ratio, severity, and reaction outcome of the three drugs, we suppose that nivolumab can be used as the safest PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor for HNSCC.

SAR1A Induces Cell Growth and Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition Through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: An In Vitro and In Vivo Study

Objectives: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) ranks sixth globally, with a 50% five-year survival rate. SAR1A exhibits high expression levels in various tumor types, yet its specific role in HNSCC remains to be clarified. Methods: In vitro assays, such as CCK8, EdU, colony formation, wound-healing, transwell, and Western blotting analyses, as well as in vivo assays, such as tumor xenografts and lung metastasis models, were conducted to evaluate the impacts of SAR1A on HNSCC proliferation, migration, and invasion. Transcriptome sequencing and KEGG enrichment pathway analysis revealed evident alterations in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR(PAM) pathways. LY294002 (a PI3K/AKT inhibitor) was used to investigate the role of the PAM pathway in proliferation, migration, and invasion in HNSCC. Results: Univariate and multivariate Cox regression were conducted to screen SAR1A as a gene prognostic biomarker in HNSCC, and it was validated in the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Functional assays demonstrated that the depletion of SAR1A leads to suppressed proliferation, migration, and invasion of HNSCC cells. This is accompanied by a decrease in the expression of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related markers in HNSCC cell lines. In addition, the diminished capacities of proliferation, migration, and invasion observed in SAR1A knockdown cells were reversed upon the overexpression of SAR1A. Furthermore, RNA-seq and KEGG enrichment analysis demonstrated a significant alteration in the PAM pathway following SAR1A knockdown. LY294002 effectively mitigated the increased proliferation, migration, and invasion induced by SAR1A overexpression. Conclusions: SAR1A facilitates HNSCC proliferation and EMT via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.

Oncogenic H-RAS induces metformin resistance in head and neck cancer by promoting glycolytic metabolism.

Metformin administration has recently emerged as a candidate strategy for the prevention of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, the intricate relationship between genetic alterations in HNSCC and metformin sensitivity is still poorly understood, which prevents the stratifications of patients harboring oral premalignant lesions that may benefit from the chemopreventive activity of metformin. In this study, we investigate the impact of prevalent mutations in HNSCC in response to metformin. Notably, we found that the expression of oncogenic HRAS mutants confers resistance to metformin in isogenic HNSCC cell systems and that HNSCC cells harboring endogenous HRAS mutations display limited sensitivity to metformin. Remarkably, we found that metformin fails to reduce activation of the mTOR pathway in HRAS oncogene expressing HNSCC cells in vitro and in vivo, correlating with reduced tumor suppressive activity. Mechanistically, we found that this process depends on the ability of HRAS to enhance glycolytic metabolism, thereby suppressing the requirement of oxidative phosphorylation to maintain the cellular energetic balance. Overall, our study revealed that HNSCC cells with oncogenic HRAS mutations exhibit diminished metformin sensitivity, thus shedding light on a potential mechanism of treatment resistance. This finding may also help explain the limited clinical responses to metformin in cancers with RAS mutations. Ultimately, our study underscores the importance of understanding the impact of the genetic landscape in tailoring precision cancer preventive approaches in the context of HNSCC and other cancers that are characterized by the presence of a defined premalignant state and, therefore, amenable for cancer interception strategies.

68Ga]Ga-FAPI04 Outperforms [18F]FDG PET/CT for Detecting Nodal Metastasis of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Single-Center Experience.

This study assesses fibroblast activated protein inhibitor (FAPI) targeted PET/CT imaging against [18F]FDG PET/CT (FDG PET) for detecting nodal involvement in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), intending to improve diagnostic precision for metastatic lymph nodes and lay the groundwork for future investigations. Methods: Patients diagnosed with HNSCC were retrospectively enrolled. All patients underwent [68Ga]Ga-FAPI04 PET/CT (FAPI PET) and FDG PET within 6 d. Primary tumor, lymph nodes, and tracer uptake were visually and quantitatively compared. The metastatic lymph nodes were evaluated using patient-and lesion-based analyses, with biopsy or postoperative histopathological examination as the reference. Results: The cohort includes 24 patients (17 men, 7 women; mean age 60 ± 11.8 years) who underwent FDG and FAPI PET for preoperative diagnostic workup or restaging due to known recurrence of HNSCC. Lesions included 24 primary tumors, 54 cervical lymph nodes, and 5 metastases. Primary tumors exhibited significant uptake on both PET modalities (median maximum standardized uptake value [SUVmax]: FDG 19.4 ± 11.6, FAPI 16.9 ± 4.6), with no statistically significant difference (p > 0.5). For lymph nodes, FAPI and FDG PET showed median SUVmax of 9.18 ± 6.77 and 9.67 ± 6.5, respectively. The patient-based analysis found FDG PET sensitivity at 88.2% and FAPI PET at 94.1%, with FAPI PET specificity significantly higher (85.7% vs. 42.8% for FDG PET). Lesion-based analysis revealed FAPI PET sensitivity and specificity at 84.2% and 93.7%, respectively, contrasting FDG PET's at 81.5% and 25%, respectively. Conclusion: This study underscores the efficacy of FAPI PET in detecting primary tumors in HNSCC. Furthermore, FAPI PET shows improved specificity over FDG PET for metastatic lymph nodes advocating further investigations for integrating FAPI PET into HNSCC clinical protocols for its enhanced precision in detecting metastatic lymph nodes.

Impact of Hypoxia and the Levels of Transcription Factor HIF-1α and JMJD1A on Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Lines.

This study aimed to assess the impact of hypoxia on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), focusing on the involvement of transcription factors hypoxia inducible factor 1 (HIF-1α) and Jumonji Domain-Containing Protein 1A (JMJD1A). FaDu and Cal33 cell lines were subjected to hypoxic and normoxic conditions. Cell proliferation was quantified electronically, while PCR and western blot analyses were used to measure mRNA and protein levels of HIF-1α, JMJD1A, and EMT markers. EMT was further characterized through immunofluorescence, migration, and invasion assays. Hypoxic conditions significantly reduced cell proliferation after 48 hours in both cell lines. HIF-1α mRNA levels increased initially during short-term hypoxia but declined thereafter, while JMJD1A mRNA levels showed a sustained increase with prolonged hypoxia. Western blot analysis revealed contrasting trends in protein levels. EMT marker expression varied markedly over time at both the mRNA and protein levels, suggesting EMT induction in hypoxia within 24 hours. Immunofluorescence, migration, and invasion assays supported these findings. The study provides evidence of hypoxia-induced EMT in HNSCC, although conflicting results suggest a complex interplay among molecular regulators involved in this process.

Feasibility analysis of using patient-derived tumour organoids for treatment decision guidance in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

BackgroundCurrent treatment for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) involves surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Despite aggressive multimodal approaches, tumour recurrence occurs in 40–60 % of cases, leading to poor survival outcomes. HNSCC lacks common genetic drivers for tailored therapies, and reliable biomarkers for treatment selection are scarce. We investigated the procedural requirements for incorporating drug- and radiosensitivity screens in patient-derived organoids (PDOs) within a clinical trial framework. Patients and methodsFresh tumour samples (N = 198) from 186 HNSCC patients were included. Success rates of organoid establishment were correlated with clinical and procedural parameters. Timelines for establishment of PDO cultures were determined, and their long-term growth potential assessed by serial passaging. Additionally, we conducted whole exome sequencing on matched tumour-organoid pairs. Three PDO models were employed to establish radiosensitivity assays. ResultsIn total, PDO models displaying histomorphological features and genomic alterations of parental tumours were successfully established for 35 % of patient tumours. Success rates rose to 77 % for samples with a tumour cell content of 30 % or higher. Advanced patient age, prior radiotherapy, and delays in tissue processing were identified as negative predictors for engraftment. The estimated time interval needed for screens was compatible with PDO-guided selection of curative-intent radiotherapy regimens. ConclusionsOur findings suggest that with high-quality samples and efficient tissue processing, PDO screens can be successfully performed in 77 % of HNSCC patients. Given the procedural challenges involved, future clinical trials aiming to the utility of PDOs for guiding treatment decisions should consider implementing centralised PDO screening.

How do patients with head and neck cancer and low skeletal muscle mass experience cisplatin-based chemoradiotherapy? A qualitative study

BackgroundPatients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) face several physical, emotional, and psychological challenges throughout treatment. Cisplatin-based chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is an effective but toxic treatment, with an increased risk for toxicities in patients with low skeletal muscle mass (SMM). Consequently, these patients are anticipated to experience greater treatment-related difficulties. We aimed to explore the experiences of patients with HNSCC and low SMM regarding cisplatin-based CRT.MethodsA descriptive qualitative study was conducted, interviewing seven patients 3 months after CRT using a topic guide. Thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews was conducted, to create a multi-dimensional understanding of patients’ experiences during and after cisplatin-based CRT.ResultsPrior to CRT themes included pre-treatment information, expectations towards treatment and trial, psychosocial circumstances, and supporting network. During CRT themes included toxicities, psychosocial impact, and supporting network. After CRT themes included reflection on period during CRT, psychosocial circumstances, informal support from networks and healthcare workers, and ongoing toxicities.ConclusionMost patients experience cisplatin-based CRT as a life-changing and distressing life event but cope through various strategies and supporting networks. Tailored counseling, ideally with on-demand consultations, is recommended. No differences were noted in patients’ perceptions of their cisplatin regimen.

Glutamine and serum starvation alters the ATP production, oxidative stress, and abundance of mitochondrial RNAs in extracellular vesicles produced by cancer cells

Induction of autophagy represents an effective survival strategy for nutrient-deprived or stressed cancer cells. Autophagy contributes to the modulation of communication within the tumor microenvironment. Here, we conducted a study of the metabolic and signaling implications associated with autophagy induced by glutamine (Gln) and serum starvation and PI3K/mTOR inhibitor and autophagy inducer NVP-BEZ235 (BEZ) in the head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell line FaDu. We compared the effect of these different types of autophagy induction on ATP production, lipid peroxidation, mitophagy, RNA cargo of extracellular vesicles (EVs), and EVs-associated cytokine secretome of cancer cells. Both BEZ and starvation resulted in a decline in ATP production. Simultaneously, Gln starvation enhanced oxidative damage of cancer cells by lipid peroxidation. In starved cells, there was a discernible fragmentation of the mitochondrial network coupled with an increase in the presence of tumor susceptibility gene 101 (TSG101) on the mitochondrial membrane, indicative of the sorting of mitochondrial cargo into EVs. Consequently, the abundance of mitochondrial RNAs (mtRNAs) in EVs released by FaDu cells was enhanced. Notably, mtRNAs were also detectable in EVs isolated from the serum of both HNSCC patients and healthy controls. Starvation and BEZ reduced the production of EVs by cancer cells, yet the characteristic molecular profile of these EVs remained unchanged. We also found that alterations in the release of inflammatory cytokines constitute a principal response to autophagy induction. Importantly, the specific mechanism driving autophagy induction significantly influenced the composition of the EVs-associated cytokine secretome.

Prognostic Significance of Tumor-Stroma Ratio (TSR) in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The management of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) relies heavily on TNM staging and WHO histologic grading; however, in recent years, the analysis of prognostic markers expressed in the tumor stroma has gained attention. The tumor-stroma ratio (TSR) quantifies the proportion of tumor tissue relative to the surrounding stromal tissue; it is assessed with the percentage of stromal tissue within the tumor area, with a cutoff point of 50% being widely used to discriminate high-stroma cancer. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we investigated the potential prognostic role of the TSR in HNSCC. After a literature screening, 24 studies dealing with the TSR and survival outcomes were included. The TSR showed a significant association with overall survival (OS) in both unadjusted and adjusted measures (RR 2.04, CI 1.57-2.65, p < 0.01; HR 2.36 CI 1.89-2.94, p < 0.00001), with an even stronger prognostic potential in oral cavity/oral tongue cancers (RR 2.44 CI 1.84-3.22, p < 0.00001). The TSR also showed prognostic value when dealing with cancer-specific survival and was associated with a reduction in disease-free survival (DFS). In particular, the TSR also retained its prognostic role in terms of DFS when specifically considering early-stage cancers in both unadjusted and adjusted analyses (RR 1.81 CI 1.57-2.10, p < 0.00001; HR 2.09 CI 1.58-2.76, p < 0.00001). Therefore, we conclude that the TSR is a reliable prognostic marker that is easy to assess in routine histological slides and can be effectively implemented in the routine evaluation of HNSCC.

Identification and validation of M2 macrophage-related gene signature as a novel prognostic model for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a highly heterogeneous tumor. Commonly used tumor staging don’t sufficiently and accurately assess the prognosis of HNSCC patients, resulting in a lack of guidance for clinical treatment decisions. M2 macrophage infiltration has been shown to be strongly associated with the tumor prognosis. In this study, we used the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data to screen for genes co-expressed with M2 macrophages in HNSCC. We used univariate Cox regression to screen out the genes associated with HNSCC prognosis, and constructed a HNSCC prognosis model by Lasso regression analysis. The results confirmed that the model had good predictive value and accuracy for the prognosis of HNSCC patients by survival analysis, ROC curve and nomogram. We divided the HNSCC samples into high-risk and low-risk groups according to the risk score, and the results showed that patients in the high-risk group were more prone to genetic mutations and had a higher tumor mutational burden. In addition, there were significant differences between risk groups in terms of immune cell infiltration and drug sensitivity. The HNSCC prognostic model established in this study may provide guidance for clinical therapeutic decision-making and provide a theoretical foundation for the development of new immunotherapy methods.

Application of NRS2002 and PG-SGA in nutritional assessment for perioperative patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: An observational study.

This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of 2 nutritional assessment tools, the Nutritional Risk Screening Scale 2002 (NRS2002) and the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA), for evaluating the nutritional status of perioperative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients, to facilitate early nutritional interventions and improve clinical outcomes. An observational, comparative study was conducted at the Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, recruiting patients diagnosed with HNSCC scheduled for surgical treatment. The NRS2002 and PG-SGA were applied to assess patients' nutritional risk at multiple time points: upon admission, the day before surgery, 2 days after surgery, a week after surgery, and at discharge. Statistical analyses were performed using McNemar and Kappa tests to assess differences and consistency between NRS2002 and PG-SGA. A total of 209 patients were included in this study, predominantly male, with an average age of 60 years. Nutritional risk assessments identified an inverted "V" trend in nutritional risk, with the peak occurring 2 days post-surgery. PG-SGA consistently showed a higher screening positivity rate compared to NRS2002. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis highlighted the discriminative power of both tools, with PG-SGA and NRS2002 showing high area under the curve values. Both NRS2002 and PG-SGA are effective for nutritional screening in HNSCC patients, with PG-SGA demonstrating a slightly higher sensitivity before surgery. PG-SGA may be more suitable for preoperative application, whereas NRS2002 is more appropriate for postoperative use.

Update on HPV-associated head and neck cancers-highlights of the 2024 ASCO Annual Meeting

Human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is becoming increasingly important in head and neck oncology. At this year's conference of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), alarge number of papers were presented on the topic of HPV-associated HNSCC, particularly with regard to neoadjuvant treatment approaches, radiation de-escalation strategies, therapeutic vaccines, and treatment monitoring. In this context, study results on the treatment of HPV-related recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) were also presented. Based on contributions to the 2024 ASCO Annual Meeting, an insight into the latest developments in HPV-associated diseases of the head and neck is provided. The papers were reviewed for clinical relevance and contextualized based on current therapeutic concepts. Alarge number of studies on liquid biopsies (LB) were presented. It was shown that although the methods for analyzing LBs for HPV-positive patients are well developed and can be used for diagnostics, risk classification, treatment management, or tumor follow-up, the methods vary considerably, and their clinical application has not yet been sufficiently validated. With regard to therapeutic HPV vaccination, three large studies were presented for the treatment of recurrent/metastatic HPV-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). The only randomized study was on the vaccine ISA101b (peltopepimut-S) and did not reach its primary endpoint; however, the vaccine seemed to be highly effective in patients with a combined positive score (CPS) ≥ 20. Furthermore, data from aphaseIstudy on PRGN2012, an adenovirus-based immunotherapy used therapeutically for the treatment of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP), were presented. PRGN2012 led to areduction in surgical interventions for RRP, and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) designated PRGN2012 as abreakthrough therapy and orphan drug. However, the vaccine is not yet approved for the treatment of RRP.