Salivary microRNAs identified by small RNA sequencing as potential predictors of response to intensity-modulated radiotherapy in head and neck cancer patients.

Purpose: Progress in radiation therapy of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) is logically linked to the development of molecular predictors that would help to enhance individually tailored treatment. MicroRNA (miRNA) expression profiles in tumors have repeatedly been tested to optimize the molecular diagnostics of HNSCC. In addition to tumor tissues, miRNAs are stably present in body fluids, including saliva, and can thus be collected non-invasively.

Immunostimulatory and anticancer effect of Reishi and Coriol extracts at the level of clinical studies and their implementation in practice.

Background: Mushrooms Reishi and Coriolus have been used for centuries in Asian countries to treat various diseases, mainly respiratory tract infections or pulmonary diseases, and more recently also cancers. Polysaccharides and triterpenes, which are found in these mushrooms, are their main bio-active components. Preclinical and clinical studies in humans presented their beneficial effects as immunomodulators; besides this, they possess a direct anticancer effect.

Prognostic Significance of Serum Free Amino Acids in Head and Neck Cancers.

Despite distinctive advances in the field of head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) biomarker discovery, the spectrum of clinically useful prognostic serum biomarkers is limited. As metabolic activities in highly proliferative transformed cells are fundamentally different from those in non-transformed cells, specific shifts in concentration of different metabolites may serve as diagnostic or prognostic markers. Blood amino acids have been identified as promising biomarkers in different cancers before, but little is known about this field in HNSCC.

Expression of CD44, EGFR, p16, and their mutual combinations in patients with head and neck cancer: Impact on outcomes of intensity-modulated radiation therapy.

Background: Progress in radiation treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) deserves the studies focused on molecular predictors that would help to enhance individually tailored treatment.

Methods: p16/epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/cluster of differentiation-44 (CD44) was immunohistochemically analyzed in 165 HNSCC patients.

Results: In the entire group and the p16 negative cohort, better 3-year overall survival and locoregional control correlated with p16 positivity, CD44, and EGFR negativity were observed.