MicroRNA-193b enhances tumor progression via down regulation of neurofibromin 1.

Despite improvements in therapeutic approaches for head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC), clinical outcome has remained disappointing, with 5-year overall survival rates hovering around 40-50%, underscoring an urgent need to better understand the biological bases of this disease. We chose to address this challenge by studying the role of micro-RNAs (miRNAs) in HNSCC. MiR-193b was identified as an over-expressed miRNA from global miRNA profiling studies previously conducted in our lab, and confirmed in HNSCC cell lines.

Association of two BRM promoter polymorphisms with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma risk.

The SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex is an important regulator of gene expression that has been linked to cancer development. Expression of Brahma (BRM), a critical catalytic subunit of SWI/SNF, is lost in a variety of solid tumors. Two novel BRM promoter polymorphisms (BRM-741 and BRM-1321) have been correlated with BRM loss and elevated cancer risk.

Deintensification candidate subgroups in human papillomavirus-related oropharyngeal cancer according to minimal risk of distant metastasis.

Purpose: To define human papillomavirus (HPV) -positive oropharyngeal cancers (OPC) suitable for treatment deintensification according to low risk of distant metastasis (DM).

Patients And Methods: OPC treated with radiotherapy (RT) or chemoradiotherapy (CRT) from 2001 to 2009 were included. Outcomes were compared for HPV-positive versus HPV-negative patients.

Validation of a one-page patient-reported Charlson comorbidity index questionnaire for upper aerodigestive tract cancer patients.

Objectives: Cancer patients have a wide range of comorbidities that are important confounders for biomarker and clinical studies of prognosis and outcome. Comorbidities can be captured using the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) through abstraction of medical records, but patient-reported outcome (PRO) questionnaires have also been used. The objective was to validate the PRO-CCI in a head and neck cancer (HNC) population, and to assess its level of agreement with the standard (std-CCI) method of chart review.

Evolution of pancreatic function during the first year in infants with cystic fibrosis.

Objective: To describe pancreatic function during the first year of life in infants diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF) using serial fecal elastase measurements.

Study Design: This was a longitudinal study of 82 infants diagnosed with CF through newborn screening. Monthly stool samples were sent to a central laboratory for fecal elastase measurements.

Long-term regional control and survival in patients with "low-risk," early stage oral tongue cancer managed by partial glossectomy and neck dissection without postoperative radiation: the importance of tumor thickness.

Background: The objectives of this study were to determine the incidence of locoregional failure in patients with low-risk, early stage oral tongue squamous cell cancer (OTSCC) who undergo partial glossectomy and ipsilateral elective neck dissection without receiving postoperative radiation.

Methods: A combined database of patients with OTSCC who received treatment at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and Princess Margaret Cancer Center from 1985 to 2005 was established. In total, 164 patients with pathologic T1-T2N0 OTSCC who underwent partial glossectomy and ipsilateral elective neck dissection without postoperative radiation were identified.

Postoperative intensity-modulated radiotherapy following surgery for oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma: patterns of failure.

Objectives: To review outcomes and analyze the patterns of locoregional recurrence of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) treated with surgery and postoperative intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT).

Materials And Methods: All patients with Stage I-IVB OCSCC treated with surgery and postoperative IMRT± concurrent chemotherapy between 2005 and 2010 were evaluated. Patient survival and tumor outcomes were prospectively recorded.

Transoral resection of pharyngeal cancer: summary of a National Cancer Institute Head and Neck Cancer Steering Committee Clinical Trials Planning Meeting, November 6-7, 2011, Arlington, Virginia.

Recent advances now permit resection of many pharyngeal tumors through the open mouth, an approach that can greatly reduce the morbidity of surgical exposure. These transoral techniques are being rapidly adopted by the surgical community and hold considerable promise. On November 6-7, 2011, the National Cancer Institute sponsored a Clinical Trials Planning Meeting to address how to further investigate the use of transoral surgery, both in the good prognosis human papillomavirus (HPV)-initiated oropharyngeal cancers, and in those with HPV-unrelated disease.

Potentially novel candidate biomarkers for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma identified using an integrated cell line-based discovery strategy.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) can arise from the oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx or hypopharynx, and is the sixth leading cancer by incidence worldwide. The 5-year survival rate of HNSCC patients remains static at 40-60%. Hence, biomarkers which can improve detection of HNSCC or early recurrences should improve clinical outcome.

Natural course of distant metastases following radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy in HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer.

Objectives: To describe the natural course of distant metastases (DMs) following radiotherapy (RT) or chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in HPV(+) oropharyngeal carcinoma (OPC).

Methods: OPC treated with RT/CRT from 1/1/2000 to 5/31/2010 were reviewed. The natural course of DM were compared between HPV(+) and HPV(-) cohorts.

Radiotherapy for head and neck tumours in 2012 and beyond: conformal, tailored, and adaptive?

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is a conformal irradiation technique that enables steep dose gradients. In head and neck tumours this approach spares parotid-gland function without compromise to treatment efficacy. Anatomical and molecular imaging modalities may be used to tailor treatment by enabling proper selection and delineation of target volumes and organs at risk, which in turn lead to dose prescriptions that take into account the underlying tumour biology (eg, human papillomavirus status).

Squamous cell carcinoma of the buccal mucosa: outcomes of treatment in the modern era.

Objectives/hypothesis: The objective of this study was to analyze the patterns of failure and to determine clinical and pathologic factors predictive of recurrence and survival of patients treated for squamous cell carcinoma of the buccal mucosa at Princess Margaret Hospital.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients treated for buccal carcinoma between 1994 and 2004 was performed.

The Effect of Registration Volume Extent on Residual Errors Assessed Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography in Radiation Treatment of Head and Neck Cancer.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of the varying extent of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) registration volumes (RVs) on setup errors for head and neck (H&N) radiotherapy.

Methods And Materials: Daily CBCT images for 31 patients receiving H&N intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) were reviewed. Registrations using anatomically defined RVs with a fixed superior border at base of sella and varying inferior extent were used retrospectively to evaluate patient setup.

Local recurrence of localized soft tissue sarcoma: a new look at old predictors.

Background: The objective of this study was to examine the effect of known predictors of local recurrence of soft tissue sarcoma in a competing risk setting.

Methods: The outcome of interest was the cumulative probability of local recurrence per category of relevant predictors, with death as a competing event. In total, 1668 patients with a localized soft tissue sarcoma of the extremity or trunk were included.

Progressive tumefactive fibroinflammatory lesion of the infratemporal fossa treated by radiation therapy.

Tumefactive fibroinflammatory lesion (TFIL) is a rare benign tumor in the head and neck region. We present a case of a 40-year-old female with a benign but progressive lesion of the infratemporal fossa, which was diagnosed as TFIL. Patient responded briefly to a course of steroid treatment but eventually showed progression and was unresponsive to further steroids.

Radiotherapy for management of extremity soft tissue sarcomas: why, when, and where?

This critical review will focus on published data on the indications for radiotherapy in patients with extremity soft tissue sarcomas and its role in local control, survival, and treatment complications. The differences between pre- and postoperative radiotherapy will be discussed and consensus recommendations on target volume delineation proposed.

Outcomes of HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer patients treated by radiotherapy alone using altered fractionation.

Purpose: To report outcome of HPV-related [HPV(+)] oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) managed predominantly by altered-fractionation radiotherapy-alone (RT-alone).

Methods: OPCs treated with RT-alone (n = 207) or chemoradiotherapy (CRT) (n = 151) from 2001 to 2008 were included. Overall survival (OS), local (LC), regional (RC) and distant (DC) control were compared for HPV(+) vs.

Radiation therapy for infiltrative giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath.

Purpose: Giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath (GCTTS) has a high recurrence after excision and can be a management challenge. Although experience with radiation therapy for GCTTS is limited, it is purported to control infiltrative cases and prevent recurrence. We describe our approach to primary and recurrent GCTTS, as well as our identification of infiltrative cases and their treatment with radiation therapy.

Prognostic and predictive significance of plasma HGF and IL-8 in a phase III trial of chemoradiation with or without tirapazamine in locoregionally advanced head and neck cancer.

Purpose: Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a hypoxia-induced secreted protein that binds to cMet and regulates interleukin (IL)-8 expression. We evaluated the role of circulating HGF and IL-8 as prognostic and predictive factors for efficacy of tirapazamine (TPZ), a hypoxic cell cytotoxin.

Experimental Design: Patients with stages III to IV head and neck cancer were randomized to receive radiotherapy with cisplatin (CIS) or CIS plus TPZ (TPZ/CIS).

Long-term outcome of the treatment of high-risk tenosynovial giant cell tumor/pigmented villonodular synovitis with radiotherapy and surgery.

Background: The treatment of diffuse tenosynovial giant cell tumor (TGCT) requires extensive surgical resection of the hypertrophic synovium and multiple soft tissue masses yet still may result in high rates of local failure. The authors of this report examined their experience in treating patients with advanced/multiply recurrent TGCT with a combination of surgery and external-beam radiotherapy.

Methods: Fifty patients who were treated for TGCT with radiotherapy and surgery from 1972 to 2006 were identified.

A pragmatic contouring guideline for salivary gland structures in head and neck radiation oncology: the MOIST target.

Objectives: One of the main normal tissue toxicities in head and neck radiation oncology is xerostomia. In several studies, reduced radiation dose to the salivary glands has been shown to diminish the effects of gland dysfunction. However, no clear guidelines exist to define the anatomic location of the involved glands on cross-sectional imaging in a pragmatic manner.

Pulmonary complications of systemic vasculitides.

The pulmonary vasculitides are a heterogeneous group of diseases that often occur as a component of systemic vasculitic diseases. Most frequently, pulmonary vasculitis is observed in vasculitic syndromes that preferentially affect small vessels. Pulmonary involvement may develop because the lung has an extensive vascular and microvascular network.

Axial Skeletal Location Predicts Poor Outcome in Ewing's Sarcoma: A Single Institution Experience.

Introduction. Ewing's sarcomas (EWSs) of bone and soft tissue are neuroectodermal tumors that affect both axial and appendicular locations. We hypothesized that axial location predicted poor outcome in EWS patients.