Clinicopathological Review of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy.

Background/aim: The benefit of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains unclear.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively collected 30 patients with HNSCC who had undergone radical resection after NAC. We pathologically evaluated the therapeutic response to NAC, and classified the residual tumor patterns.

Progression-Free Survival and Treatment-Free Interval in Head and Neck Cancer with Long-Term Response to Nivolumab: Timing of Active Discontinuation.

The optimal timing for actively discontinuing immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy in long-term responders with recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC) remains unresolved. We conducted a retrospective study of 246 patients with R/M HNSCC treated with nivolumab to determine the optimal timing to actively discontinue nivolumab therapy. We examined the point at which progression-free survival (PFS) plateaued in all cases.

Clinical Analysis of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Single-institution Experience.

Background/aim: There is limited evidence about the significance of head and neck surgical observation at the time of diagnosis and follow-up of oral cancer after treatment. The aim of this study was to elucidate the prognosis and prognostic factors of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), analyze cases of double cancers, and highlight the importance of examinations during both diagnosis and post-treatment for OSCC.

Patients And Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 272 OSCC cases treated for the first time during a 10-year period from April 2013 to March 2023 at Kyushu University Hospital.

Inhibition of PTPN3 Expressed in Activated Lymphocytes Enhances the Antitumor Effects of Anti-PD-1 Therapy in Head and Neck Cancer, Especially in Hypoxic Environments.

In the tumor microenvironment, wherein cytotoxic lymphocytes interact with cancer cells, lymphocyte exhaustion, an immune checkpoint inhibitor target, is promoted. However, the efficacy of these inhibitors is limited, and improving response rates remains challenging. We previously reported that protein tyrosine phosphatase nonreceptor type (PTPN) 3 is a potential immune checkpoint molecule for activated lymphocytes and that PTPN3 inhibition should be a focus area for cancer immunotherapy development.

Biological and genetic characterization of a newly established human external auditory canal carcinoma cell line, SCEACono2.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the external auditory canal (EACSCC) is an extraordinarily rare and aggressive malignant disease. Establishment of EACSCC cell line with robust molecular characteristics is essential for the basic and translational research of EACSCC. Here, we show the newly established EACSCC cell line SCEACono2, derived from a patient with well-to-moderately differentiated EACSCC.

Utility of Precision Oncology Using Cancer Genomic Profiling for Head and Neck Malignancies.

Background/aim: In recent years, individual patient cancer genomic profiling (CGP) has become more accessible, allowing determination of therapeutic strategies using driver gene mutations in cancer therapy. However, this precision oncology approach, tailored to specific patients, remains experimental. In this study, we verified the feasibility and benefit of using CGP to guide treatment of malignant head and neck tumors.

Pembrolizumab Monotherapy Pembrolizumab Plus Chemotherapy in Patients With Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Background/aim: Pembrolizumab monotherapy and pembrolizumab with chemotherapy (combination therapy) are standard treatments for recurrent and metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M-HNSCC). This study aimed to explore which of the two, pembrolizumab monotherapy or combination therapy is superior for long-term use.

Patients And Methods: Participants of the study were 139 patients with histologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma who had been treated with pembrolizumab monotherapy or combination therapy at the Kyushu University and related facilities.

Utility of FDG PET at the Initial Radioiodine Therapy in Differentiated Thyroid Cancer.

Background/aim: Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) has a good prognosis, except in the case of patients with radioiodine therapy (RIT)-refractory cancer. However, since DTC is essentially a slowly progressing cancer, it is usually judged to be a DTC with a poor prognosis after multiple RITs and yearly follow-up with echo, computed tomography (CT), and serum thyroglobulin values. This study investigated whether fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/CT (FDG PET/CT) combined with initial RIT could identify early-stage patients with poor prognosis.

Two cases of cervical esophageal perforation treated by surgery.

Cervical esophageal perforation is rare, but it is associated with high mortality. We describe two patients with cervical esophageal perforation that required surgical treatment. In both cases, good outcomes were evenly achieved, despite the presence of risk factors.

Individualized circulating tumor DNA monitoring in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

There is no useful biomarker to evaluate treatment response and early relapse in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is a promising biomarker for detecting minimal residual diseases and monitoring treatment effect. We investigated whether individualized ctDNA analysis could help monitor treatment response and relapse in HNSCC.

Programmed Death-Ligand 1 Expression and Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes in Temporal Bone Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Objectives/hypothesis: The tumor immune microenvironment in temporal bone squamous cell carcinoma (TBSCC), including the programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), has not been established.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Methods: We performed immunohistochemistry analyses to retrospectively analyze 123 TBSCC cases for PD-L1 expression and TILs and their prognostic significance.

Clinical Analysis of En Bloc Resection for Advanced Temporal Bone Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

 En bloc and margin-negative surgical resection seems to offer the best prognosis for patients with temporal bone squamous cell carcinoma (TB-SCC). In this study, we summarize the outcomes of surgical cases of advanced TB-SCC (T3-T4) that were managed in two institutions, with an accompanying description of the surgical procedure that was utilized: modified subtotal temporal bone resection (STBR), which involves the en bloc removal of the temporal bone including or transecting the otic capsule.  This is a case series study with chart review.

Prognostic Significance of Systemic Inflammatory Response in Cases of Temporal Bone Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Objective/hypothesis: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the temporal bone is an extremely rare condition. This rarity has led to a delay in the establishment of a standard treatment protocol and adequate staging system. Identification of prognostic markers of this disease from a variety of fields is desirable in the establishment of treatment guidelines for temporal bone SCC.

Prognostic Impact of Tumor Extension in Patients With Advanced Temporal Bone Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

The extreme rarity of temporal bone squamous cell carcinoma (TB-SCC) has delayed the accumulation of high-quality clinical evidence. Our objective here was to explore anatomical factors associated with the prognosis of T4 TB-SCC cases. Case series with chart review.

Genetic landscape of external auditory canal squamous cell carcinoma.

External auditory canal squamous cell carcinoma (EACSCC) is an extremely rare and aggressive malignancy. Due to its rarity, the molecular and genetic characteristics of EACSCC have not yet been elucidated. To reveal the genetic alterations of EACSCC, we performed whole exome sequencing (WES) on 11 primary tumors, 1 relapsed tumor and 10 noncancerous tissues from 10 patients with EACSCC, including 1 with a rare case of synchronous bilateral EACSCC of both ears.

Primary Advanced Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Temporal Bone: A Single-Center Clinical Study.

Objectives/hypothesis: The extreme rarity of temporal bone squamous cell carcinoma (TB-SCC) has delayed the accumulation of high-quality clinical evidence. For the purposes of retrospective meta-analysis in the future, a large dataset with information from various institutions would be ideal. Our objective here was to retrospectively review cases of TB-SCC encountered at a single tertiary referral center and explore survival outcomes and prognostic factors.

Combination of serum squamous cell carcinoma antigens 1 and 2 as potential diagnostic marker for sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma and inverted papilloma.

Background: Differentiating inverted papilloma from squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is sometimes difficult. We evaluated the clinical usefulness of serum SCCA1 and SCCA2 in the management of patients with inverted papilloma or SCC.

Methods: Serum and tissue samples for the analysis of SCCA1, SCCA2, and SCC antigen were taken from 18 patients with sinonasal inverted papilloma and 23 cases with sinonasal SCC.

The clinical value of serum squamous cell carcinoma antigens 1 and 2 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Objective: The usefulness of pretreatment measurement of SCC antigen in patients with head and neck SCC is still controversial. Our aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of serum SCC antigen, SCCA1 and SCCA2 in the management of patients with head and neck SCC.

Methods: Serum samples for the analysis of SCCA1, SCCA2 and SCC antigen were taken from head and neck SCC patients before treatment.

The treatment and outcome analysis of primary squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid.

Objectives: Primary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the thyroid is a rare disease. It usually presents with locally advanced disease and has an overall poor prognosis. In this study, we investigated the characteristics and outcomes of patients with SCC of the thyroid, and reported our experience with chemotherapy with lenvatinib in the treatment of SCC of the thyroid.

Single-cycle induction chemotherapy for resectable advanced hypopharyngeal cancer.

Background: The role of induction chemotherapy (IC) in the treatment of resectable advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma has not been elucidated, and the most effective IC regimen for chemoselection is still unknown. At our institute we have not used the triple combination of docetaxel, cisplatin, fluorouracil (TPF) for chemoselection, but rather the double combination of docetaxel + cisplatin (TP). The aim of this study is to report the outcome of patients with advanced hypopharyngeal cancer treated by single cycle of IC with TP followed by chemoradiation (CRT) or surgery.

[A Case of Pneumocystis Pneumonia after Cetuximab-based Bioradiotherapy].

Reports of drug-induced interstitial pneumonia caused by Cetuximab have been increasing. Pneumocystis pneumonia is important as a differential diagnosis of drug-induced interstitial pneumonia. We report herein on a 64-year-old man with pneumocystis pneumonia after cetuximab-based bioradiotherapy for laryngeal cancer.