Outcomes of surgical therapy for local recurrence and oligometastatic urothelial carcinoma of the bladder: 20 years of experience in a tertiary center.

Introduction And Aim Of The Study: The impact of surgical therapy in selected patients with limited metastatic/recurrence burden have not yet been well studied. We investigated the outcome of surgical resection for patients with local recurrence only or oligometastatic UC of the bladder.

Patients And Methods: We identified patients with oligometastatic UC or local recurrence only after radical cystectomy (RC) who underwent surgical resection with curative intent between 2003 and 2022 at our center.

Tumor budding and lymphovascular invasion as prognostic factors in p16-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas.

Background: We aimed to validate the prognostic significance of tumor budding (TB) in p16-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCC).

Methods: We analyzed digitized H&E-stained slides from a multicenter cohort of five large university centers consisting of n = 275 cases of p16-positive OPSCC. We evaluated TB along with other histological parameters (morphology, tumor-stroma-ratio, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), perineural invasion) and calculated survival outcomes using both univariate and multivariate analyses.

Unravelling the Complexity of HNSCC Using Single-Cell Transcriptomics.

Background/objectives: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a highly heterogeneous and the most common form of head and neck cancer, posing significant challenges for disease management. The objective of this review is to assess the utility of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) in addressing these challenges by enabling a detailed characterization of the tumor microenvironment (TME) at the cellular level.

Methods: This review compiles and analyzes current strategies that utilize scRNAseq and other single-cell technologies in HNSCC research.

Expression analysis of SOX2 and SOX9 in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Lately SOX2 and SOX9, transcription factors associated with stemness-like phenotypes of cancer cells, have been linked to tumor growth, metastasis, and resistance to therapy.

Methods: This study aimed on evaluating the expression of SOX2 and SOX9 in a large cohort of patients with OSCC including primary and recurrent tumors and corresponding lymph node metastases. Semiautomatic digital pathology scoring was used to determine protein expression and survival analysis was performed to evaluate its prognostic significance.

The impact of double-J ureteral stenting before radical cystectomy on the development of upper tract urothelial carcinoma.

Background: It is controversial whether the use of a double-J stent (DJ) in patients with bladder cancer before radical cystectomy (RC) increases the risk of tumour seeding in the upper tract and thus the risk of metachronous upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). The aim of our study is to investigate the risk of upper tract recurrence after RC in patients previously managed with a DJ stent.

Methods: A total of 699 patients who had undergone RC between January 2003 and March 2022 with complete perioperative data and pathological outcome were included in our study.

Context-Dependent Regulation of Peripheral Nerve Abundance by the PI3K Pathway in the Tumor Microenvironment of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Recent studies have highlighted neurons and their associated Schwann cells (SCs) as key regulators of cancer development. However, the mode of their interaction with tumor cells or other components of the tumor microenvironment (TME) remains elusive. We established an SC-related 43-gene set as a surrogate for peripheral nerves in the TME.

Bricker versus Wallace ureteroileal anastomosis: A multi-institutional propensity score-matched analysis.

Aim Of The Study: The aim of our study is to evaluate the difference in stricture rate between matched groups of Bricker and Wallace techniques for ureteroileal anastomosis.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients undergoing urinary diversion (UD) with Bricker and Wallace ureteroileal anastomosis at two university hospitals. Two groups of Bricker and Wallace patients were matched in a 1:1 ratio based on the age, sex, body mass index (BMI), Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), preoperative hydronephrosis, prior radiation therapy or abdominal surgery, pathologic T and N stages and 30-days-Clavien grade complications≥III.

[New S2k guideline "Surgical techniques for gender incongruence"].

Background: Various techniques for the surgical treatment of gender incongruence (GI) have been available for years. The spectrum is broad and covers various specialties. In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of clinics offering body-modifying procedures.

Near-infrared fluorescence lymph node template region dissection plus backup lymphadenectomy in open radical cystectomy for bladder cancer using an innovative handheld device: A single center experience.

Background: The extent of pelvic lymphadenectomy (PLND) as part of radical cystectomy (RC) for bladder cancer (BC) remains unclear. Sentinel-based and lymphangiographic approaches could lead to reduced morbidity without sacrificing oncologic safety.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and diagnostic value of fluorescence-guided template sentinel region dissection (FTD) using a handheld near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) camera in open radical cystectomy.

Tumor Neurobiology in the Pathogenesis and Therapy of Head and Neck Cancer.

The neurobiology of tumors has attracted considerable interest from clinicians and scientists and has become a multidisciplinary area of research. Neural components not only interact with tumor cells but also influence other elements within the TME, such as immune cells and vascular components, forming a polygonal relationship to synergistically facilitate tumor growth and progression. This review comprehensively summarizes the current state of the knowledge on nerve-tumor crosstalk in head and neck cancer and discusses the potential underlying mechanisms.

An ESR1-Related Gene Signature Identifies Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma with Imputed Susceptibility to Endocrine Therapy.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. New personalized treatment strategies represent an unmet medical need to improve the overall survival and the quality of life of patients, which are often limited by the toxicity of established multimodal treatment protocols. Several studies have reported an increased expression of the estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) in HNSCC, but its potential role in the disease outcome of these tumors remains elusive.

The Role of SOX2 and SOX9 in Radioresistance and Tumor Recurrence.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) exhibits considerable variability in patient outcome. It has been reported that SOX2 plays a role in proliferation, tumor growth, drug resistance, and metastasis in a variety of cancer types. Additionally, SOX9 has been implicated in immune tolerance and treatment failures.

Risk factors for ureteroenteric stricture after radical cystectomy and urinary diversion: A systematic review.

Introduction: Ureteroenteric stricture (UES) is the leading cause of renal function deterioration after radical cystectomy (RC) and urinary diversion (UD). The aim of the present review is to summarize studies that discussed the risk factors associated with UES development. Identifying the responsible factors is of importance to help surgeons to modify their treatment or follow-up strategies to reduce this serious complication.

[Psychiatric, socio-legal and perioperative aspects of vaginoplasty].

The number of scientific papers on gender-confirming surgeries as well as the surgeries themselves have increased by leaps and bounds in recent years. This leads to sometimes considerable waiting times for people seeking treatment. Social media and the internet do not always provide reliable and high-quality information.

Corrigendum: Exploring the dual role of B cells in solid tumors: implications for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.

Dynamic Up-Regulation of PD-L1 in the Progression of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

The introduction of immune checkpoint inhibition for recurrent and metastatic head and neck cancer has brought a new treatment option for patients suffering from advanced oral cancers without a chance for curation using surgery or radiotherapy. The application of immune checkpoint inhibitors in most cases is based on the expression levels of PD-L1 in the tumor tissue. To date, there is a lack of data on the dynamic regulation of PD-L1 during disease progression.

New insights into RAS in head and neck cancer.

RAS genes are known to be dysregulated in cancer for several decades, and substantial effort has been dedicated to develop agents that reduce RAS expression or block RAS activation. The recent introduction of RAS inhibitors for cancer patients highlights the importance of comprehending RAS alterations in head and neck cancer (HNC). In this regard, we examine the published findings on RAS alterations and pathway activations in HNC, and summarize their role in HNC initiation, progression, and metastasis.

Predicting HPV association using deep learning and regular H&E stains allows granular stratification of oropharyngeal cancer patients.

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell cancer (OPSCC) represents an OPSCC subgroup with an overall good prognosis with a rising incidence in Western countries. Multiple lines of evidence suggest that HPV-associated tumors are not a homogeneous tumor entity, underlining the need for accurate prognostic biomarkers. In this retrospective, multi-institutional study involving 906 patients from four centers and one database, we developed a deep learning algorithm (OPSCCnet), to analyze standard H&E stains for the calculation of a patient-level score associated with prognosis, comparing it to combined HPV-DNA and p16-status.

Activation of the EGFR/PI3K/AKT pathway limits the efficacy of trametinib treatment in head and neck cancer.

Blocking the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway with the MEK1/2 inhibitor trametinib has produced promising results in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). In the current study, we showed that trametinib treatment leads to overexpression and activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in HNSCC cell lines and patient-derived xenografts. Knockdown of EGFR improved trametinib treatment efficacy both in vitro and in vivo.

Establishment of a Machine Learning Model for the Risk Assessment of Perineural Invasion in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Perineural invasion is a prevalent pathological finding in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and a risk factor for unfavorable survival. An adequate diagnosis of perineural invasion by pathologic examination is limited due to the availability of tumor samples from surgical resection, which can arise in cases of definitive nonsurgical treatment. To address this medical need, we established a random forest prediction model for the risk assessment of perineural invasion, including occult perineural invasion, and characterized distinct cellular and molecular features based on our new and extended classification.

Cumulative sum analysis (CUSUM) for evaluating learning curve (LC) of robotic-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (RALPN).

Robotic-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (RALPN) is becoming a standard treatment for localized renal tumors worldwide. Data on the learning curve (LC) of RALPN are still insufficient. In the present study, we have attempted to gain further insight in this area by evaluating the LC using cumulative summation analysis (CUSUM).

Tumour budding-based grading as independent prognostic biomarker in HPV-positive and HPV-negative head and neck cancer.

Background: The prognostic significance of tumour budding (TB) and minimal cell nest size (MCNS) was shown in human papillomavirus (HPV)-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). However, the optimisation of cutpoints, the prognostic impact in HPV-positive HNSCC, and the comparison with other histopathological grading systems are insufficiently investigated.

Methods: TB and MCNS were analysed digitally in 1 and 10 high-power fields (HPF) of 331 HPV-positive and HPV-negative cases from TCGA.

A Novel Subgroup of UCHL1-Related Cancers Is Associated with Genomic Instability and Sensitivity to DNA-Damaging Treatment.

Purpose: Identification of molecularly-defined cancer subgroups and targeting tumor-specific vulnerabilities have a strong potential to improve treatment response and patient outcomes but remain an unmet challenge of high clinical relevance, especially in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC).

Experimental Design: We established a UCHL1-related gene set to identify and molecularly characterize a UCHL1-related subgroup within TCGA-HNSC by integrative analysis of multi-omics data. An extreme gradient boosting model was trained on TCGA-HNSC based on GSVA scores for gene sets of the MSigDB to robustly predict UCHL1-related cancers in other solid tumors and cancer cell lines derived thereof.