Antitumor vaccination in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas with autologous virus-modified tumor cells.

Prognosis of patients with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) is still poor. Therefore, we analyzed whether antitumor vaccination with a virus-modified autologous tumor cell vaccine is feasible and safe in HNSCC patients. Furthermore, we determined the influence on disease-free survival and overall survival and the vaccination-induced antitumor reactivity.

Expression of SGLT-1 in preneoplastic and neoplastic lesions of the head and neck.

Tumors show an increased glucose uptake that is mediated by glucose transport proteins. We have analyzed the expression of the sodium-dependent glucose co-transporters SGLT-1 and-2 in short-term cultures of squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (HNSCC) by RT-PCR. Distribution of the SGLT-1 protein in HNSCC tissues was investigated by immunohistochemistry.

Expression profiles of angiogenic growth factors in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck.

Inhibition of angiogenesis by blocking angiogenic cytokines or their pathways has become a major target in experimental cancer therapies. This therapeutical approach requires a profound knowledge of growth factor profiles that contribute to tumor growth and progression. The respective knowledge is presently rather incomplete for head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC).

Hearing loss in Usher syndrome type II is nonprogressive.

Usher syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by sensorineural hearing loss and progressive visual loss secondary to retinitis pigmentosa. In the literature, a possible progression of the moderate to severe hearing loss in Usher syndrome type II (Usher II) is controversial. We studied the development of the hearing loss of 125 patients with a clinical diagnosis of Usher syndrome type II intraindividually and interindividually by repeatedly performing complete audiological and neuro-otologic examinations.