Predicting Early Death in Head and Neck Cancer-A Pilot Study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate biomarkers and biological characteristics of tumor biopsies from patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) to assess the risk of early death. Furthermore, we analyzed whether any combination of markers could be used for the prognostication of death within six months after cancer diagnosis. Patients diagnosed with HNC, receiving curative treatment decision at a multidisciplinary tumor board meeting, and who died within six months of diagnosis were included in this study.

Pretreatment fat-free mass index correlates with early death in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: A significant proportion of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are malnourished at diagnosis. In this study, we investigated how pretreatment body mass index (BMI) and fat-free mass index (FFMI) correlate with early death, and whether these measurements are useful markers of prognosis for risk stratification of head and neck cancer patients.

Methods: Patients (n = 404) with newly diagnosed, curable HNSCC and WHO performance status 0-2 were prospectively included and met with a study representative before treatment initiation, as well as up to four follow-up visits.

Prognostic value of hypoxia-responsive gene expression profile in patients diagnosed with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a disease associated with a severe mortality and high risk of distant metastasis and local recurrence. Currently, surgery and radiotherapy are the main treatment modes, however, therapeutic efficacy of radiotherapy is linked to tumor resistance. Hypoxia has been shown to affect outcome of radiotherapy in HNSCC patients.

Feasibility of Coacervate-Like Nanostructure for Instant Drug Nanoformulation.

Despite the enormous advancements in nanomedicine research, a limited number of nanoformulations are available on the market, and few have been translated to clinics. An easily scalable, sustainable, and cost-effective manufacturing strategy and long-term stability for storage are crucial for successful translation. Here, we report a system and method to instantly formulate NF achieved with a nanoscale polyelectrolyte coacervate-like system, consisting of anionic pseudopeptide poly(l-lysine isophthalamide) derivatives, polyethylenimine, and doxorubicin (Dox) via simple "mix-and-go" addition of precursor solutions in seconds.

Discrimination in an "equal country"-a survey amongst Swedish final-year medical students.

Background: Discrimination due to gender and ethnicity has been found to be widespread in medicine and healthcare. Swedish and European legislation list seven discrimination grounds (age, sex, ethnicity, religion, sexuality, non-binary gender identity, and disability) which may intersect with each other; yet these have only been sparsely researched. The aim of this study was to assess the extent of discrimination, based on these seven discrimination grounds, amongst final-year medical students in Sweden.

Hypoxia induces radioresistance, epithelial‑mesenchymal transition, cancer stem cell‑like phenotype and changes in genes possessing multiple biological functions in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Hypoxia has been linked with increased resistance to treatment in various solid tumors, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The aim of the present study was to identify genes involved in hypoxia‑mediated responses to radiotherapy in HNSCC. A total of three HNSCC cell lines with an epithelial phenotype were selected for this study and cultured under normoxic (21% O) or hypoxic (1% O) conditions.

A national study of health-related quality of life in patients with cancer of the base of the tongue compared to the general population and to patients with tonsillar carcinoma.

Background: This exploratory, registry-based, cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate patients' health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in a subsite of oropharyngeal cancer: cancer of the base of the tongue (CBT).

Methods: CBT patients, treated with curative intent, completed the EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-H&N35 questionnaires 15 months after diagnosis. The HRQOL of CBT patients was compared to reference scores from the general population and to that of tonsillar carcinoma patients.

Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Modulate Transcriptional Signatures Involved in Proliferation, Differentiation and Metastasis in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are known to increase tumor growth and to stimulate invasion and metastasis. Increasing evidence suggests that CAFs mediate response to various treatments. HNSCC cell lines were co-cultured with their patient-matched CAFs in 2D and 3D in vitro models, and the tumor cell gene expression profiles were investigated by cDNA microarray and qRT-PCR.

Role of PFKFB3 and PFKFB4 in Cancer: Genetic Basis, Impact on Disease Development/Progression, and Potential as Therapeutic Targets.

Glycolysis is a crucial metabolic process in rapidly proliferating cells such as cancer cells. Phosphofructokinase-1 (PFK-1) is a key rate-limiting enzyme of glycolysis. Its efficiency is allosterically regulated by numerous substances occurring in the cytoplasm.

CAFs affect the proliferation and treatment response of head and neck cancer spheroids during co-culturing in a unique in vitro model.

Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a heterogeneous group of tumors for which the overall survival rate worldwide is around 60%. The tumor microenvironment, including cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), is believed to affect the treatment response and migration of HNSCC. The aim of this study was to create a biologically relevant HNSCC in vitro model consisting of both tumor cells and CAFs cultured in 3D to establish predictive biomarkers for treatment response, as well as to investigate the impact of CAFs on phenotype, proliferation and treatment response in HNSCC cells.

A Nordic survey of the management of palliative care in patients with head and neck cancer.

Background: The five Nordic countries with a population of 27M people form a rather homogenous region in terms of health care. The management of Head and Neck Cancer (HNC) is centralized to the 21 university hospitals in these countries. Our aim was to survey the current status of organization of palliative care for patients with HNC in the Nordic countries as the field is rapidly developing.

The Outcome of Unilateral Cochlear Implantation in Adults: Speech Recognition, Health-Related Quality of Life and Level of Anxiety and Depression: a One- and Three-Year Follow-Up Study.

 Hearing impairment is a common disease worldwide, with a comprehensive impact, and cochlear implantation (CI) is an intervention for profound hearing impairment.  To study the outcome one and three years after unilateral CI on hearing, health-related quality of life and level of depression and anxiety, and the correlation between the outcomes. Second, to study whether age, gender, etiology, operated side, residual hearing or cognitive performance can predict the outcome.

Daytime changes of salivary biomarkers involved in pain.

The study aimed to investigate salivary levels of nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), substance P (SP) and glutamate at five time points from morning to afternoon in a well-characterised healthy and pain-free individuals. Ten young adults were included. Unstimulated and stimulated whole saliva were collected from each participant repeatedly across the day.

Dissecting multi drug resistance in head and neck cancer cells using multicellular tumor spheroids.

One of the hallmarks of cancers is their ability to develop resistance against therapeutic agents. Therefore, developing effective in vitro strategies to identify drug resistance remains of paramount importance for successful treatment. One of the ways cancer cells achieve drug resistance is through the expression of efflux pumps that actively pump drugs out of the cells.

measurement of glucose uptake after radiation and cetuximab treatment in head and neck cancer cell lines using 18F-FDG, gamma spectrometry and PET/CT.

The standard treatment for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is radiotherapy, often in combination with chemotherapy or surgery. However, a novel monoclonal antibody, cetuximab (Erbitux), has also been approved for patient therapy. The aim of present study was to develop an method for the measurement of 18F-fluoro-2deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) to determine if cellular 18F-FDG uptake is associated with response to radiotherapy or cetuximab treatment.

The evaluation of canal wall up cholesteatoma surgery with the Glasgow Benefit Inventory.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate the change in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after canal wall up cholesteatoma surgery, using the Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI).

Methods: Data from a consecutive group of 47 adults scheduled for primary cholesteatoma surgery using canal wall up (CWU) with obliteration, from January 2005 to December 2009, were analysed. Information was extracted from a medical database, and complementary data from patient files and audiograms were collected and recorded retrospectively.

Early mortality after diagnosis of cancer of the head and neck - A population-based nationwide study.

Background: Cancers of the head and neck have a high mortality rate, and roughly 10% of the patients die within six months of diagnosis. To our knowledge little has been written about this group. We wished to identify risk factors for early death, to predict and monitor patients at risk better and, if possible, avoid unjustified major treatment.

Laryngo-tracheal resections in the Nordic countries: an option for further centralization?

Purpose: We aimed to obtain information on the number of Nordic centers performing tracheal resections, crico-tracheal resections, and laryngo-tracheal reconstructions, as well as the patient volume and the standard regimens associated with these procedures.

Methods: Consultants at all Departments of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (ORL-HNS, n = 22) and Thoracic Surgery (n = 21) in the five Nordic countries were invited (April 2018-January 2019) to participate in an online survey.

Results: All 43 departments responded to the survey.

The effect of 2D and 3D cell cultures on treatment response, EMT profile and stem cell features in head and neck cancer.

Background: Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) tumors are often resistant to therapies. Therefore searching for predictive markers and new targets for treatment in clinically relevant in vitro tumor models is essential. Five HNSCC-derived cell lines were used to assess the effect of 3D culturing compared to 2D monolayers in terms of cell proliferation, response to anti-cancer therapy as well as expression of EMT and CSC genes.

Detection of rotavirus- and norovirus-specific IgG memory B cells in tonsils.

Because rotavirus (RV) and norovirus (NoV) are transmitted through the fecal-oral route, tonsils due to their location within the oropharynx may sample or become infected with these viruses. We investigated if RV and NoV RNA/antigen, or virus-specific memory/plasma B cells can be detected in the tonsils. While neither RV/NoV antigen, nor genomic RNA was detected, 90% (27/30) of tonsils tested had RV- and NoV-specific IgG memory B cells.

Experiences of an Internet-based aural rehabilitation (IAR) program for hearing aid users: a qualitative study.

Objective: Internet interventions for hearing aid (HA) users have been shown to be effective in helping persons with hearing problems. As earlier research refers to objective data on these effects, little is known about how participants experience the Internet interventions subjectively. The aim of the present study was to explore participants' experiences of an Internet-based aural rehabilitation (IAR) program for HA-users, and to explore the possible subjective benefits of such a program.

Saliva as a medium to detect and measure biomarkers related to pain.

Saliva is often neglected as a body fluid of diagnostic or prognostic value, even though generally well accepted by the patients. This is due to lack of a standardized collection procedure. The aim of this study was to identify the ideal saliva collection technique and develop new sensitive methods to detect and analyse markers related to pain in healthy pain-free subjects.

Cholesteatoma surgery with the canal wall up technique combined with mastoid obliteration: results from primary surgery in 230 consecutive cases.

Objective: To evaluate the canal wall up (CWU) technique combined with mastoid obliteration used in cholesteatoma surgery from the aspects of safety and function.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review. Information was extracted from a medical database and complementary data from patient files and audiograms were collected and recorded retrospectively.