Therapeutic HPV Cancer Vaccine Targeted to CD40 Elicits Effective CD8+ T-cell Immunity.

Human papillomavirus (HPV), particularly HPV16 and HPV18, can cause cancers in diverse anatomical sites, including the anogenital and oropharyngeal (throat) regions. Therefore, development of safe and clinically effective therapeutic vaccines is an important goal. Herein, we show that a recombinant fusion protein of a humanized antibody to CD40 fused to HPV16.

Proximal peroneal perforator in dual-skin paddle configuration of fibula free flap for composite oral reconstruction.

Background: Composite defects of the oral cavity are often the result of trauma or advanced-stage tumor extirpation. The resultant deformity frequently requires a three-dimensional reconstruction of bone and soft-tissue. The fibula free flap is the preferred method of reconstruction, with various modifications focused on providing supplemental soft-tissue coverage.

Levels of potential oral cancer salivary mRNA biomarkers in oral cancer patients in remission and oral lichen planus patients.

Objectives: To gather preliminary data concerning the feasibility of using seven salivary mRNAs-IL-8; IL-1β; dual specificity phosphatase 1 (DUSP1); H3 histone family 3A (H3F3A); ornithin decarboxylase antizyme 1 (OAZ1); S100 calcium-binding protein P (S100P); and spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase 1 (SAT1)-for detecting development of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in oral lichen planus (OLP) patients and OSCC patients whose disease was in remission.

Materials And Methods: Saliva samples were collected from five study groups (25 subjects/group): newly diagnosed OSCC, OSCC-in-remission, disease-active OLP, disease-inactive OLP, and normal controls. The salivary mRNA levels were determined by a pre-amplification RT-qPCR approach with nested gene-specific primers.

Salivary endothelin-1 potential for detecting oral cancer in patients with oral lichen planus or oral cancer in remission.

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potent vasoconstrictor involved not only in vascular biology but also in carcinogenesis. Results of a study in 2007 suggested salivary ET-1 as a potential biomarker for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), but a later study showed conflicting results. The purpose of our pilot study was to investigate feasibility of using salivary ET-1 as a biomarker for OSCC in two groups: oral lichen planus (OLP) patients and patients with OSCC in remission.

Transcervical elective superior mediastinal dissection for thyroid carcinoma.

Objectives: To review our results with elective superior mediastinal dissections for thyroid carcinomas.

Study Design: Retrospective review.

Methods: We searched operative case logs for all patients with thyroid carcinoma treated with an elective superior mediastinal dissection by the senior author (Y.

Advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx: efficacy of positron emission tomography and computed tomography for determining primary tumor response during induction chemotherapy.

Background: To evaluate the efficacy of fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose emission tomography (FDG-PET) and CT versus endoscopy with biopsy under general anesthesia for estimating tumor volume reduction among patients treated with induction chemotherapy for advanced squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oropharynx.

Methods: Twelve patients with oropharyngeal SCC nested in a phase II, induction chemoradiation, organ preservation trial (University of Michigan Cancer Center 9921) underwent tumor volume reduction estimation as assessed by FDG-PET, CT, and endoscopy with biopsy.

Results: In 9 of 12 patients, FDG-PET, CT, and endoscopy demonstrated agreement in estimation of tumor reduction.

Retrograde balloon dilation of complete cervical esophageal and hypopharyngeal strictures.

Objectives: To evaluate and describe retrograde endoscopic dilation of 100% strictures of the cervical esophagus and hypopharynx.

Methods And Materials: All patients who presented to the senior author (Y.D.

Medical and surgical management of subperiosteal orbital abscess secondary to acute sinusitis in children.

Objective: To evaluate the presentations and outcomes of pediatric subperiosteal orbital abscesses (SPOA) secondary to acute sinusitis.

Study Design: Case series

Setting: Tertiary children's hospital.

Patients: Forty-three admissions diagnosed with SPOA by clinical presentation and contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT) were retrospectively reviewed.

Transoral approach to the superomedial parapharyngeal space.

Objectives: To present our early experience with the transoral approach to the superomedial parapharyngeal space (PPS) and describe our technique for removal of these neoplasms.

Study Design: Consecutive case series by one author (Y.D.

Intraoperative evaluation of cortical bony margins with frozen-section analysis.

Objective: To describe and evaluate the efficacy of frozen-section analysis of cortical bone margins in surgery of the craniofacial skeleton.

Study Design: Retrospective analysis of a consecutive series of patients undergoing oncologic resection of various head and neck neoplasms with osseous involvement by the senior author (Y.D.

Hydroxyapatite cement in craniofacial reconstruction.

Objectives: To evaluate the long-term efficacy of hydroxyapatite cement in craniofacial reconstruction, specifically examining the role (if any) of radiation, implant location, and cement type.

Study Design: A retrospective chart review was conducted of all patients presenting to the senior surgeon (Y.D.

Use of precontoured positioning plates and pericranial flaps in midfacial reconstruction to optimize aesthetic and functional outcomes.

Objectives: To present our experience with reconstruction of midfacial defects using "precontoured positioning plates" with or without pericranial flaps and to describe our technique in detail.

Methods: Thirty-two consecutive patients with midfacial defects subsequent to oncologic resection that were reconstructed primarily with cranial bone grafts and precontoured positioning plates were reviewed for type of defect, functional outcome, complications, and postoperative appearance.

Results: Primary reconstruction of all defects in this series was performed.

Use of fibula-free tissue transfer with preoperative 2-vessel runoff to the lower extremity.

Objective: To present our experience with fibula-free tissue transfer in patients with documented 2-vessel runoff to the lower extremity on preoperative angiography.

Methods: A case series of 16 patients with segmental mandibular defects reconstructed with a fibula-free flap by the senior author with 100% stenosis of the anterior or posterior tibial arteries were retrospectively reviewed for radiographic data and complications.

Results: All flaps performed were successful, and there were no donor site complications.

Complications of acute sinusitis in children.

Objective: To review the demographic, microbiologic, and outcome data for children with complications of acute sinusitis.

Study Design And Setting: Retrospective review of children admitted with complications of acute sinusitis from January 1995 to July 2002 to a tertiary care children's hospital.

Results: One hundred four patients were reviewed with the following complications: orbital cellulitis (51), orbital abscesses (44), epidural empyemas (7), subdural empyemas (6), intracerebral abscesses (2), meningitis (2), cavernous sinus thrombosis (1), and Pott's puffy tumors (3).

Elective transcervical superior mediastinal lymph node dissection for advanced laryngeal and level 4 N3 squamous cell carcinoma.

Objectives: To review our results with elective superior mediastinal lymph node dissections in patients with advanced laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCCA) and overt level 4 adenopathy.

Study Design: Retrospective review.

Methods: We searched operative case logs for all patients treated with an elective superior mediastinal dissection by the senior author (Y.

Differential diagnosis and treatment options in paranasal sinus cancers.

Paranasal sinus malignancies are challenging to treat. Most patients present with advanced lesions, often with intracranial or intraorbital extension, and have a poor overall prognosis. Given the low incidence and diverse pathologies of paranasal sinus cancers, it is extremely difficult to perform prospective, randomized clinical trials to compare different treatment approaches.

Congenital tracheocutaneous fistulas.

Objective: To outline two cases of congenital tracheocutaneous fistula and discuss the potential pathogenesis of this previously unreported developmental abnormality.

Methods: Two cases of tracheocutaneous fistula evaluated at John Peter Smith Hospital (Fort Worth, TX) from May to October 2001 were reviewed. The surgical treatment of one infant is described.