Radiological Sublingual Space Invasion in Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Clinicopathological Associations and Impact on Survival.

Objectives: We investigate if sublingual space invasion (SLI) determined on magnetic resonance imaging confers differences in clinicopathological manifestations and treatment outcomes of oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC).

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Tertiary Academic Medical Center.

The effect of time from surgery to commencing adjuvant radiotherapy for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Introduction: Studies reported inferior outcomes when radiotherapy starts >6-8 weeks post-surgery for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) but are limited due to time variable dichotomization. We assessed the relationship between survival and the time between surgery and radiotherapy as a continuous variable, hypothesising there would be no change in patients' survival at 6-8 weeks post-surgery.

Methods/materials: Inclusion criteria: patients with HNSCC who underwent surgery and adjuvant (chemo)radiotherapy, Jan 2014-Dec 2020.

Prevalence, incidence and trends of keratinocyte carcinoma in Denmark 2007-2021: A population-based register study.

Introduction: The incidence of keratinocyte carcinoma (KC), i.e., basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), is increasing worldwide, placing a significant burden on healthcare resources.

Automated classification of pathological differentiation in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma using combined radiomics models from CET1WI and T2WI.

Objectives: This study aims to develop an automated radiomics-based model to grade the pathological differentiation of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and to assess the influence of various magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences on the model's performance.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed MRI data from 256 patients across two medical centers, including both contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images (CET1WI) and T2-weighted images (T2WI). Regions of interest were delineated for radiomics feature extraction, followed by dimensionality reduction.

Clinical and dosimetric feasibility of sparing submandibular gland in patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: To investigate the incidence of submandibular gland (SMG) involvement and explore the feasibility of sparing SMG in the oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed patients between January 2018 to October 2022. Ten patients with tongue squamous cell carcinoma receiving postoperative radiotherapy were replanned to investigate the feasibility of sparing SMG.

Identifying threshold of CT-defined muscle loss after radiotherapy for survival in oral cavity cancer using machine learning.

Objectives: Muscle loss after radiotherapy is associated with poorer survival in patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC). However, the threshold of muscle loss remains unclear. This study aimed to utilize explainable artificial intelligence to identify the threshold of muscle loss associated with survival in OCSCC.

Epidemiological landscape of tongue cancer in younger patients in a National Cancer Center in Brazil.

This study investigates the changing epidemiological profile of tongue squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) to young patients, highlighting its rising incidence among non-traditional risk groups. A retrospective descriptive study was conducted, covering data from medical records between 2000 and 2012. Patients were categorised into two age groups (≤ 40 years; 41-50 years).

Lymph node ratio (LNR) and lymph node yield (LNY) in head and neck cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: A growing amount of evidence points at lymph node yield (LNY) and lymph node ratio (LNR) as useful indicators in the prognostic evaluation of patients affected by head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) who require neck dissection. The aim of this study was to assess the importance of LNY and LNR in the prognostic evaluation of head and neck cancer patients.

Materials And Methods: Included studies were those examining LNY and/or LNR in head and neck cancer patients.

ULBP2 promotes progression of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma by modulating MAPK signaling pathway.

Background: UL16-binding protein 2 (ULBP2) is significantly overexpressed in diverse cancers, it may also serve as a potential prognostic factor. Nonetheless, the mechanism of action and functions associated with ULBP2 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma(HNSCC) are unexplored. This study aims to clarify the role and mechanism of ULBP2 in HNSCC and determine whether this molecule promotes tumor progression through modulation multiple downstream MAPK signaling.

Immunotherapeutic strategies beyond the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma - A scoping review on current developments in agents targeting TIM-3, TIGIT, LAG-3, and VISTA.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) poses a considerable challenge due to its high incidence and mortality rates. Immunotherapy targeting PD-(L)1 emerges as a promising approach for HNSCC, as it has the potential to trigger a broad and long-lasting anti-tumor response. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of immunotherapy encounters hurdles, and only a small proportion of patients benefit, with many eventually experiencing relapse.

INFLUENCE OF CONFORMAL RADIOTHERAPY IN COMBINATION WITH RADIOMODIFIERS ON THE CONTENT OF VEGF, COX-2, AND PGE-2 IN BLOOD SERUM OF PATIENTS WITH HEAD AND NECK SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA.

Background: The development of new approaches to modeling tumor radiosensitivity in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is an important problem for overcoming tumor radioresistance. New agents for radiomodification are inhibitors of the enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). The study of markers of radioresistance in cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT) in combination with COX-2 inhibitors and chemotherapy may contribute to the effectiveness of RT.

Impact of Tobacco, Marijuana, and Alcohol Use on Overall Survival in Recurrent Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer Patients Treated With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors.

Aim: The response rates to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) remain low (13%-20%) in metastatic head and neck cancer patients, indicating an urgent need to better understand factors predictive of response to these agents. This study explored the impact of smoking status, marijuana use, and alcohol consumption on treatment outcomes in recurrent-metastatic (R/M) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients treated with ICI.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 201 R/M HNSCC patients treated with ICI between January 15th 2016 and April 9th 2020 at a single institution.

Epigenetic downregulation of the proapoptotic gene in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Homeobox A5 () has been identified as a tumor suppressor gene in breast cancers, but its role in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has not been confirmed. The Illumina GoldenGate Assay for methylation identified that DNA methylation patterns differ between tumorous and normal tissues in the oral cavity and that is one of the genes that are hypermethylated in oral tumor tissues. The present study obtained more‑complete information on the methylation status of by using the Illumina Infinium MethylationEPIC BeadChip and bisulfite sequencing assays.

From tumor microenvironment to emerging biomarkers: the reshaping of the esophageal squamous cell carcinoma tumor microenvironment by neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is a cancer with high morbidity and mortality. The advent of immune checkpoint inhibitors has significantly increased complete response rates and postoperative R0 resection rates after neoadjuvant therapy. These drugs can largely reverse the suppression of the immune system caused by the tumor microenvironment, allowing the reactivation of anti-tumor immune infiltrating cells, significantly improving the patient's tumor microenvironment, and thus preventing tumor development.

Effects of Rurality, Socioeconomic Status, and Race on Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Outcomes.

Objective: To examine how rural residence interacts with SES and race/ethnicity relative to Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treatment delay and outcomes.

Methods: The SEER database was queried for patients aged ≥18 with HNSCC. Out of 164,337 cases, 126,052 remained after exclusions for missing data.

EZH2 elicits CD8 T-cell desert in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma via suppressing CXCL9 and dendritic cells.

CD8 T cell spatial distribution in the context of tumor microenvironment (TME) dictates the immunophenotypes of tumors, comprised of immune-infiltrated, immune-excluded and immune-desert, discriminating "hot" from "cold" tumors. The infiltration of cytotoxic CD8 T cells is associated with favorable therapeutic response. Hitherto, the immunophenotypes of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) have not yet been comprehensively delineated.

Clinical Outcomes and Prognosis of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Presenting with Obstruction.

Background: The prognosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) with obstruction is unclear. This study aimed to analyze clinical outcomes and prognosis of patients with ESCC and obstruction.

Methods: Patients with advanced ESCC were included and divided into obstructive and non-obstructive groups.

Mithramycin targets head and neck cancer stem cells by inhibiting Sp1 and UFMylation.

Background: The development of resistance to therapy is characteristic of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), the 6th most common cancer, and is often attributed to cancer stem cells (CSCs). By proteomic approach, we determined that UFMylation plays an important role in HNSCC CSCs. Because of the necessity for innovative therapeutic strategies, we explore here the therapy targeting CSCs based on mithramycin and its inhibitory effect on Sp1 transcription factor, UFMylation, and CSCs survival and stemness.

Demographic and clinicopathological comparison among oral lichen planus, lichenoid lesions and proliferative verrucous leukoplakia: a retrospective study.

Background: Clinicopathological diagnosis and follow-up of oral lichen planus and leukoplakia are necessary due to its potential for malignant transformation and the need to differentiate it from other lichenoid diseases and proliferative verrucous leukoplakia. This study aimed to classify and compare sociodemographic and clinicopathological features among patients with oral lichen planus, oral lichenoid lesions and proliferative verrucous leukoplakia.

Methods: A transversal observational study in which oral leukoplakia and oral lichen planus patients were surveyed at the Oral Pathological Anatomy Service and Applied Biotechnology Laboratory was conducted.

Phase II Trial of Neoadjuvant Docetaxel/Cisplatin/5-Fluorouracil Combined with Pegteograstim for Unresectable, Locally Advanced Sinonasal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: KCSG HN18-07.

Purpose: The role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma (SNSCC) has not been established prospectively. We conducted a phase II trial of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) with docetaxel/cisplatin/5-fluorouracil (TPF) in this population.

Materials And Methods: Eligible patients had unresectable, locally advanced SNSCC, defined as T3/4 stage or potential compromise of critical organ function on surgery.

Influence of head and neck cancer exosomes on macrophage polarization.

Background: Tumor cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME) release exosomes that influence macrophage phenotypes, either pro-tumorigenic or anti-tumorigenic. This mechanism, especially in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), remains poorly understood. This study investigates the role of HNSCC exosomes in macrophage polarization.

Nomogram for predicting early death in elderly patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma: A population-based SEER study.

Background: The disease and mortality rates of patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) stabilize after peaking at the age of 60 years. This study aimed to identify risk factors associated with early death (death within 6 months) in elderly (≥60 years) patients with LSCC and to establish predictive nomograms to aid clinicians in developing individualized treatment plans.

Methods: Data pertaining to elderly patients with LSCC between 2004 and 2015 was obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (version 8.

Patient-Reported Distress in Individuals With Head and Neck Cancer.

Importance: Distress is common among patients with cancer, and evidence of disparities associated with distress has been mixed. Head and neck cancer (HNC) is one of the most emotionally distressing cancers and is also a highly disparate disease. However, it is unknown whether there are disparities associated with patient-reported distress in HNC.

Lysosomal/mitochondrial interaction promotes tumor growth in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Communication between intracellular organelles including lysosomes and mitochondria has recently been shown to regulate cellular proliferation and fitness. The way lysosomes and mitochondria communicate with each other (lysosomal/mitochondrial interaction, LMI) is, emerging as a major determinant of tumor proliferation and growth. About 30% of squamous carcinomas (including squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, SCCHN) overexpress TMEM16A, a calcium-activated chloride channel, which promotes cellular growth and negatively correlates with patient survival.