Low-dose aspirin desensitization in individuals with aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease.

Background: Nasal polyposis frequently occurs within the clinical picture of aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD). A derailed arachidonic acid metabolism is regarded to be part of the pathophysiology of AERD, and aspirin desensitization is the only causal therapeutic option, so far. The optimal maintenance dose of aspirin desensitization to prevent nasal polyp recurrence on the one hand and to minimize aspirin-related side-effects, on the other hand, is still a matter of debate.

Systematic intraoperative application of confocal endomicroscopy for early detection and resection of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: a preliminary report.

Objective: To use intraoperative confocal endomicroscopy for early detection and resection of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the head and neck. A preliminary report.

Design: Prospective case series.

Increased basic fibroblast growth factor release and proliferation in xenotransplanted squamous cell carcinoma after combined irradiation/anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatment.

Novel strategies of cancer therapy combine irradiation and anti-angiogenic active compounds. However, little is known concerning the undesired cellular and molecular effects caused by this novel treatment concept. We used a mouse squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) xenotransplantation model to evaluate the potential undesired effects which compromise the success of this therapeutic combination.

Trifunctional antibodies induce efficient antitumour activity with immune cells from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients after radio-chemotherapy treatment.

BACKGROUND Trifunctional antibodies, such as catumaxomab (anti-EpCAM×anti-CD3) and ertumaxomab (anti- HER-2/neu×anti-CD3), transiently link immune effector cells to tumour cells, which results in cellular cytotoxicity towards the tumour cells. A functional immune system is therefore essential for effective anti-tumour activity. However, the commonly observed haematotoxicity of chemotherapeutics and radiation therapy may be associated with some degree of immunosuppression.

[Rendezvous technique for complete hypopharyngeal stenosis. Indications and variations of combined endoscopy].

Background: Hypopharyngeal stricture can result from a number of causes including chemoradiotherapy and esophagectomy and leads to inability to swallow with aspiration as well as permanent dependence on a gastrostomy tube. Antegrade dilatation or puncture and local mitomycin C application are often unsuccessful and many patients require extensive surgery.

Methods: We report three cases of total hypopharyngeal stenosis with different clinical histories.