Phenotypical differences of neutrophils patrolling tumour-draining lymph nodes in head and neck cancer.

Background: The complexity and heterogeneity of neutrophils are recognized, especially their roles in modulating inflammation and cancer immune responses. The detailed functions of neutrophils in human tumour-draining lymph nodes (TDLNs), specifically in the context of head and neck cancer, remain inadequately characterized.

Aim: This study aims to delineate the phenotypic diversity of neutrophils in TDLNs, non-tumour-draining lymph nodes (nTDLNs) from patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), and to evaluate their correlation with clinical outcomes.

"High-risk" tumors of the lip treated with external beam radiotherapy and high-dose-rate brachytherapy: Long-term outcome.

Background: Radiotherapy is a well-established treatment for lip cancer, with external radiotherapy (EBRT) or brachytherapy (BT).

Methods: This study evaluated outcome, tumor control, and aesthetics, for 101 patients with carcinoma of the lip, not suitable for surgery, treated with combined EBRT and BT.

Results: Squamous cell carcinoma was seen in 78 patients, basal cell carcinoma in 15, and other histologies in 8 patients.

A Novel Method Using Fine Needle Aspiration from Tumor-Draining Lymph Nodes Could Enable the Discovery of New Prognostic Markers in Patients with Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Cutaneous squamous cell cancer (cSCC) is the second most common form of skin cancer, characterized by abnormal, accelerated growth of squamous cells. When caught early, most cSCCs are curable. About 5 percent of the cSCC cases have advanced to such an extent, generally metastatic, that they are far more dangerous, with very poor prognosis and challenging to treat.

Radiotherapy-Dose Escalated for Large Volume Primary Tumors-And Cetuximab with or without Induction Chemotherapy for HPV Associated Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck-A Randomized Phase II Trial.

Unlabelled: The leading cause of death for patients with HPV associated squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) after treatment with chemoradiotherapy (CRT) nowadays is peripheral metastasis. This study investigated whether induction chemotherapy (IC) could improve progression free survival (PFS) and impact on relapse pattern after CRT.

Methods: Eligible patients in this multicenter, randomized, controlled, phase 2 trial had p16-positive locoregionally advanced SCCHN.

Regulatory B cells producing IL-10 are increased in human tumor draining lymph nodes.

The contribution of different immune cell subsets, especially T cells, in anti-tumor immune response is well established. In contrast to T cells, the anti-tumor contribution of B cells has been scarcely investigated. B-cells are often overlooked, even though they are important players in a fully integrated immune response and constitute a substantial fraction of tumor draining lymph nodes (TDLNs) known also as Sentinel Nodes.

Sentinel node-assisted neck dissection in advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma-A new protocol for staging and treatment.

Background: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is used to improve the staging of and guide treatment in patients with early-stage T1-T2 N0 oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The role of sentinel nodes (SNs) and the use of SN-technique in advanced OSCC (T3-T4 and/or N+) remain to be evaluated. This study investigates the nodal drainage and the rate of positive SNs (SNs+) in all stages of OSCC.

Tumour-draining lymph nodes in head and neck cancer are characterized by accumulation of CTLA-4 and PD-1 expressing Treg cells.

Introduction: High Tregs infiltration within the tumour microenvironment (TME) of various cancers shows a positive correlation with poor prognosis. Despite the fact that tumour draining lymph nodes (TDLNs) are recognized as key organs playing a crucial role in response to immunotherapy and modulating anti-cancer immunity, the distribution of Tregs and their role in TDLNs remain uncertain thus far. The purpose of this project is to investigate the density of Tregs in TDLNs and non-TDLNs and their expression of immune checkpoint molecules - PD-1 and CTLA-4.

Navigation system for percutaneous tracheotomy.

Background: Percutaneous dilatational tracheotomy (PDT) is a well-established method. The prerequisite is to identify anatomical landmarks of the neck. We introduce a three-dimensional navigation system - SafeTrach.

CD4 and CD8 T cells in sentinel nodes exhibit distinct pattern of PD-1, CD69, and HLA-DR expression compared to tumor tissue in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Anticancer immunotherapies have revolutionized cancer management, yet the effect of systemic anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) treatment is predominantly studied in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). Its impact on PD-1 expressing cells in tumor-draining lymph nodes (TDLNs) is not well understood and yet to be explored. Thus, further research aiming for better understanding of the PD-1 pathway not only in tumor tissue but also in TDLNs is warranted.

Activation of T helper cells in sentinel node predicts poor prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Recurrence in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) significantly reduces overall survival. Improved understanding of the host's immune status in head and neck cancer may facilitate identification of patients at higher risk of recurrence and improve patients' selection for ongoing clinical trials assessing the effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors (CPI). We aimed to investigate Sentinel Node-derived T-cells and their impact on survival.

A Novel Sentinel Lymph Node Approach in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Background: Occult metastases are common in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) which is why elective neck dissection, adjuvant radiotherapy or watchful waiting have been treatment options after surgical removal of the primary tumour. Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has lately emerged as a novel possibility in treatment planning.

Objectives: To establish a reliable and clinically useful protocol for SLNB in staging/elective neck dissection in oral cancer.

Rapid nodal staging of head and neck cancer surgical specimens with flow cytometric analysis.

Background: Detection of metastatic spread of head and neck cancer to cervical lymph nodes is essential for optimal design of therapy. Undetected metastases lead to mortality, which can be prevented by better detection methods.

Methods: We analysed 41 lymph nodes from 19 patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

A New Technique for Percutaneous Tracheotomy.

The objective of this study was to investigate a new technique for tracheal puncture during percutaneous dilatational tracheotomy (PDT). A new invention, known as SafeTrach, was used: this instrument allows exact localization of the puncture site with built-in protection of the posterior tracheal wall. Surgery was performed on 17 patients with this technique, and our experience is described in this report.

A new safe and cost-effective percutaneous dilatational tracheotomy: SafeTrach.

Conclusion SafeTrach is a new simplified and safe technique to perform percutaneous dilatational tracheotomy (PDT) that eliminates known risk factors compared with existing percutaneous techniques. In the present clinical study, also patients with disadvantageous anatomy not suitable for conventional PDT (CPDT) were treated without complications using SafeTrach. PDT with SafeTrach (STPDT) offers an excellent solution for patients who need tracheotomy in connection with elective ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgery.