Role of chemotherapy in patients with nasopharynx carcinoma treated with radiotherapy (MAC-NPC): an updated individual patient data network meta-analysis.

Background: The meta-analysis of chemotherapy for nasopharynx carcinoma (MAC-NPC) collaborative group previously showed that the addition of adjuvant chemotherapy to concomitant chemoradiotherapy had the highest survival benefit of the studied treatment regimens in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Due to the publication of new trials on induction chemotherapy, we updated the network meta-analysis.

Methods: For this individual patient data network meta-analysis, trials of radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy in patients with non-metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma that completed accrual before Dec 31, 2016, were identified and updated individual patient data were obtained.

Efficacy and feasibility of Apatinib and S-1 as a novel oral induction therapy in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: an exploratory phase 2 open-label, single-arm trial.

Objectives: The current standard nonsurgical treatment for locally advanced head and neck squamous cell cancer (LA-HNSCC) is concomitant chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with CRT has been explored in HNSCC patients and is an acceptable strategy. However, the occurrence of adverse events (AEs) restricts its application.

Can adjuvant radiotherapy be omitted for oral cavity cancer patients who received neoadjuvant therapy and surgery? A retrospective cohort study.

Background: Surgery and postoperative adjuvant therapy comprise the standard treatment for locally advanced resectable oral squamous cell carcinoma (LAROSCC), while preoperative neoadjuvant therapy is being explored without sufficient confirmation of improved survival. De-escalation regimens after neoadjuvant therapy, such as those omitting adjuvant radiotherapy, may provide comparable or better outcomes, suggesting rigorous assessment of adjuvant therapy outcomes is needed in LAROSCC patients. The authors thus performed this retrospective study in LAROSCC patients who received neoadjuvant therapy and surgery, to compare the outcomes for overall survival (OS) and locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRFS) between the adjuvant radiotherapy (radio) and nonradiotherapy (nonradio) cohorts.

Single-cell and spatial dissection of precancerous lesions underlying the initiation process of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Precancerous lesions of the oral mucosa, especially those accompanied by moderate to severe dysplasia, contribute to the initiation of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). However, the cellular compositions and spatial organization of the precancerous stage and how these factors promote human OSCC initiation remain unclear. Here, we built a single-cell transcriptome atlas and a spatial transcriptome map after obtaining data from pairwise human oral mucosal biopsies of 9 individuals consisting of very early-stage OSCC, adjacent precancerous lesions with moderate to severe dysplasia, as well as a matched normal region.

Combined all-trans retinoic acid with low-dose apatinib in treatment of recurrent/metastatic head and neck adenoid cystic carcinoma: A single-center, secondary analysis of a phase II study.

Background: Treatment options are limited for recurrent/metastatic adenoid cystic carcinoma of the head and neck (R/M ACCHN). We aimed to evaluate the preliminary results of the efficacy and safety of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) combined with low-dose apatinib in patients with R/M ACCHN according to a secondary analysis of a phase II study.

Methods: Patients from a phase II study (NCT02775370) who orally administered 500 milligram (mg) apatinib daily until treatment-related adverse events (AEs) intolerance or progression occurred were eligible for inclusion.

Head-and-neck dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: Survival analysis and Clinically relevant immunohistochemical indicators.

Background: Head and neck dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (HNDFSP) is extremely rare and not entirely understood.

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features of HNDFSP and identify the expression of its clinically relevant indicators, with the expectation of improving the existing treatment strategies.

Methods: A long-term follow-up of patients with HNDFSP who received treatment between 2000 and 2021 at Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital was conducted.

A pilot study of neoadjuvant combination of anti-PD-1 camrelizumab and VEGFR2 inhibitor apatinib for locally advanced resectable oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Novel neoadjuvant therapy regimens are warranted for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). In this phase I trial (NCT04393506), 20 patients with locally advanced resectable OSCC receive three cycles of camrelizumab (200 mg, q2w) and apatinib (250 mg, once daily) before surgery. The primary endpoints are safety and major pathological response (MPR, defined as ≤10% residual viable tumour cells).

Pharmacogenomic landscape of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma informs precision oncology therapy.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a common and frequently lethal cancer with few therapeutic options. In particular, there are few effective targeted therapies. Development of highly effective therapeutic strategies tailored to patients with HNSCC remains a pressing challenge.

Mutation and 11q13 Amplification Are Potential Predictive Biomarkers for Immunotherapy in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the most common malignant cancers. The treatment of HNSCC remains challenging despite recent progress in targeted therapies and immunotherapy. Research on predictive biomarkers in clinical settings is urgently needed.

Identification of factors related to immunotherapy efficacy and prognosis in patients with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Immunotherapy is an important treatment in oncology, but only a fraction of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) benefit from it. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify predictive biomarkers of immunotherapy response for HNSCC in order to improve treatment outcomes.

Methods: Survival analyses and comparative efficacy evaluation were performed to investigate prognostic and therapeutic impact factors in patients with advanced HNSCC following immunotherapy, and to examine the effects of factors including gene mutations, tumor mutational burden (TMB), mutant-allele tumor heterogeneity (MATH), and immune cell infiltration on the survival and efficacy.

The Immune Landscape of Chinese Head and Neck Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma and Clinical Implication.

Novel systemic agents and effective treatment strategies for recurrence adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the head and neck are still worthy of further exploration. Here, we analyzed the mutations and expression profiles of 75 Chinese ACC patients, characterized the prognostic value of the immune signature for recurrence or distant metastasis, and explored the potential of immunotherapeutic biomarkers in ACC. In general, MYB fusion and somatic mutations accounted for a high proportion, which was 46.

Apatinib in patients with recurrent or metastatic adenoid cystic carcinoma of the head and neck: a single-arm, phase II prospective study.

Background: Apatinib, a vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) blocker, has demonstrated encouraging antitumor activities and tolerable toxicities in various cancer types. Recurrent or metastatic adenoid cystic carcinoma of the head and neck (R/MACCHN) carries a poor prognosis, and treatment options are currently limited. This study was conducted to explore the antitumor activity and safety of apatinib in patients with R/MACCHN.

Effect of oral supplements on the nutritional status of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients undergoing concurrent chemotherapy: A randomized controlled Phase II trial.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to prospectively compare individualized dietary counseling with or without oral nutritional supplements (ONSs) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in a Phase II, randomized trial.

Materials And Methods: Between June 2014 and August 2016, Stage II-IVb NPC patients were randomly enrolled. The primary endpoint was change in body weight between during CCRT, and the secondary endpoints were change in body mass index (BMI) and fat-free mass index (FFMI).

Corrigendum: Müller Cell Regulated Microglial Activation and Migration in Rats With -Methyl--Nitrosourea-Induced Retinal Degeneration.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2018.

A Phase 2 Trial of Chemoradiation Therapy Using Weekly Docetaxel for High-Risk Postoperative Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of postoperative concurrent chemoradiation therapy using weekly docetaxel in patients with high-risk oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Methods And Materials: This is a prospective single-arm study from a single institute in Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China. Patients with locally stage III to IV OSCC who underwent radical surgery with at least 1 high-risk feature were enrolled for the study.

Long-term results of elective mucosal irradiation for head and neck cancer of unknown primary in Chinese population: The EMICUP study.

Objective: Controversy still exists regarding the volume of radiation for head and neck cancer of unknown primary (HNCUP). Theoretically, elective mucosal irradiation (EMI) should achieve a balance between survival and toxicity. This prospective study was conducted to evaluate the long-term benefit of EMI in Chinese HNCUP patients.

Müller Cell Regulated Microglial Activation and Migration in Rats With -Methyl--Nitrosourea-Induced Retinal Degeneration.

During the pathogenesis of retinitis pigmentosa (RP), the roles of retinal microglial cells after activation have not been fully elucidated. Herein, experimental RP was induced in Sprague Dawley rats by intraperitoneal injection of -methyl--nitrosourea (MNU) at 50 mg/kg, and the effects of MNU on the retinas were evaluated, respectively, by retinal histology and electroretinography recordings at serial time points. Time-dependent and gradual loss of photoreceptor cells, disrupted arrangement of the outer nuclear layer (ONL), and significant reductions in both a-wave and b-wave amplitudes were observed.

Longitudinal Body Composition Changes and the Importance of Fat-Free Mass Index in Locally Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Patients Undergoing Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy.

Aim: This was a prospective investigation of longitudinal body composition changes in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) and a comparison of the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) and the ESPEN (European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism) diagnostic criteria (EDC) as evaluation methods.

Methods: All patients received standard CCRT according to 2 centers' current practices. Body composition parameters were determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis and obtained weekly from baseline until the end of treatment.

A feasibility and safety study of concurrent chemotherapy based on genetic testing in patients with high-risk salivary gland tumors: Preliminary results.

Background: This prospective study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility and safety of customized chemotherapy regimens based on the gene characteristics of salivary gland tumors.

Methods: Patients were enrolled with histologically confirmed intermediate or high grade, stage T3-4, N1-3 disease, and T1-2, N0 patients with a close (≤1 mm) or microscopically positive surgical margin were also enrolled in the study. All patients received radical surgery and postoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

Surrogate End Points for Overall Survival in Loco-Regionally Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: An Individual Patient Data Meta-analysis.

Background: Our objective was to evaluate progression-free survival (PFS) and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) as surrogate end points for overall survival (OS) in randomized trials of chemotherapy in loco-regionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinomas (NPCs).

Methods: Individual patient data were obtained from 19 trials of the updated Meta-Analysis of Chemotherapy in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (MAC-NPC) plus one additional trial (total = 5144 patients). Surrogacy was evaluated at the individual level using a rank correlation coefficient ρ and at the trial level using a correlation coefficient R between treatment effects on the surrogate end point and OS.