Articles tagged with Head and Neck Cancer
The NRG-HN009 trial found that weekly cisplatin induced a similar overall burden of serious acute treatment-related toxicity compared to the standard every-three-week schedule in patients with p16-negative locally advanced head and neck cancer. The two treatment approaches resulted in different profiles of side effects.
The UVA Weber Symposium will discuss the latest research and advancements in metastasis, a complex area of cancer research and care. The event will bring together top scientists and physicians to present findings on cancer metastasis, genetics, and treatment considerations.
UCLA researchers present new radiotherapy research for prostate cancer, head and neck cancers, and personalized radiation therapy. A genetic test identifies men with prostate cancer at higher risk of urinary side effects after SBRT, suggesting personalized radiation treatment.
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network presents original research abstracts on tailoring cancer care for different regions during the 2026 World Cancer Congress. The research found that 61% of National Cancer Control Plans include references to existing national or international cancer treatment guidelines, highlighting the need for...
Research advances in ear, nose, and throat care highlight treatments for conditions like hearing loss, sleep apnea, and dementia prevention. Gene therapy and GLP-1 medications are also being explored for their potential to improve patient care.
Patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who responded to neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy and underwent reduced-volume surgery had high disease-free survival and organ preservation rates. The study also found that PD-L1 expression may serve as a potential predictive biomarker for response to ICT.
Penn Medicine is conducting a Phase I clinical trial to test the precision form of FLASH proton therapy, a faster and potentially less-toxic radiation therapy for cancer treatment. The trial aims to provide a treatment with minimal toxicity for patients with recurrent head and neck cancer.
A study published in JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery found that preoperative chemo-immunotherapy was more effective than immunotherapy alone in reducing tumor size in patients with head and neck cancer. The study analyzed data from 86 adults with head and neck cancer treated between July 2024 and March 2026, and showed that pat...
A new study examines the KEYNOTE-689 trial cohort to determine whether anticipated survival benefits outweigh the costs based on a standard threshold. Patients with higher combined positive scores saw significant quality-adjusted life years gains with perioperative pembrolizumab.
Researchers found that IVMT-Rx-4 selectively blocks the function of the MDA-9/Syntenin protein, limiting tumor growth and eliminating therapy resistance in preclinical cancer models. The study suggests a new targeted treatment option for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
Liquid biopsy targeting viral ctDNA holds promise as a diagnostic and surveillance tool for head and neck cancer. The study aims to monitor treatment response and assess minimal residual disease (MRD) to adapt treatment via precision oncology.
A multidisciplinary consensus updates treatment guidance for prolactinomas, emphasizing early recognition, individualized management strategies, and advanced imaging. The recommendations cover screening, assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and long-term monitoring to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.
A Phase I/II clinical trial of the HPV therapeutic vaccine PepCan found it to be well-tolerated, with mild injection-site reactions being the most common adverse events. However, the study did not demonstrate a reduction in head and neck cancer recurrence rates, likely due to its small sample size.
Two new UH CPRIT grants will accelerate lung cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Researchers aim to develop new mRNA-based immunotherapies and a next-generation blood test for precise lung cancer detection.
A new study found that HPV-DeepSeek, an ultrasensitive blood test, can identify patients with HPV-associated head and neck cancer who may benefit from additional treatments. The test detected circulating tumor DNA in 98.1% of patients at diagnosis, significantly improving detection rates compared to existing methods.
A population-based screening trial evaluating a cell-free DNA multicancer early detection test found modest increases in diagnostic delay rates for head and neck, lung, and upper gastrointestinal cancers. These findings suggest that future trials may need to consider system-level spillover effects on healthcare resources.
Researchers from Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute presented various studies on cancer treatments, including the efficacy of lung cancer drug neladalkib and a psychosocial digital app for patients with multiple myeloma. An electronic frailty index was also used to identify high-risk older adults receiving CAR-T cell therapy.
A new study aims to make proton therapy available to more patients in Europe by planning five new centres across Romania, Greece, Italy, Northern Ireland, and Poland. Currently, 59% of European cancer patients have access to the treatment, but this can be increased to 87% with strategic location and expansion.
A study by Medical University of Vienna shows that PET/CT scans can detect aggressive forms of head and neck cancer at an early stage due to specific patterns reflecting biological activity. Modern imaging helps identify targeted treatment strategies for a type of cancer difficult to treat.
Four new OICR-funded studies using CATALYST will advance cancer insights by reanalyzing existing patient samples and data. The initiatives aim to improve cancer detection, diagnosis, and treatment by building on previous research.
Researchers at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center presented several studies at ASCO 2026 exploring new treatment options for patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) and melanoma. These include velzatinib, a targeted therapy for GIST patients, and PRAME-directed T-cell receptor therapies for synovial sarcoma.
Researchers have shown that extracts from bioengineered chewing gum reduce levels of three microbes linked to worse outcomes in oral cancers, including HPV and bacteria Pg and Fn. The findings support the value of advancing these therapies to clinical trials as adjuvants or prophylaxis.
A new treatment using low-dose nivolumab injections into precancerous oral lesions significantly reduced lesion size and risk of cancer progression. The study showed a 60% average reduction in lesion size and complete pathologic response in six patients, with no dose-limiting side effects.
The Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology has several active trials specifically designed to help people with head and neck cancers. Trials include testing high-dose prophylactic gabapentin to prevent opioid use during treatment, as well as immunotherapy with nivolumab and cabozantinib for mucosal melanoma and nasopharyngeal carcino...
A new study led by Dartmouth Cancer Center identifies key barriers to timely head and neck cancer treatment in rural areas, including transportation and caregiver challenges. The research highlights the importance of dedicated staff, strong community ties, and peer support in navigating the complexity of cancer care.
A new study reveals that oral cavity cancer in younger adults is increasingly presenting as tongue cancer, affecting women disproportionately. Despite the trend of later-stage diagnosis, survival rates have shown modest improvement across all tumor sites and stages.
Researchers developed a blood-based test that analyzes circulating tumor HPV DNA to inform personalized treatment strategies for HPV-associated throat cancer. The study found that ctDNA levels change before and after surgery, influenced by tumor biology and kidney function.
The study discovered that restoring cellular vibration decreases cancer growth and severity in laryngeal cancer. Researchers exposed cancer cells to sound-wave vibration, leading to a decrease in a protein promoting cancer growth.
A new review study led by the University of Maryland School of Medicine identifies genetic ancestry as a key component of assessing head and neck cancerous tumors. The research found that ancestry, rather than self-identified race, was a stronger predictor of genetic differences between tumors.
Researchers developed an AI tool called ONCO-ACS to predict the risk of secondary heart attacks in cancer patients after a heart attack. The tool combines cancer-related factors with standard clinical data to provide reliable information for doctors to balance treatment benefits and harms.
Researchers developed a novel combined PET imaging approach to personalize radiotherapy for head and neck cancers, creating biologic maps that show tumor characteristics. This strategy led to greater than 90% predicted tumor control probability, outperforming previous literature.
Research suggests that blocking growth factor receptor signaling using cancer drugs may overcome two challenges: managing oral cancer pain and preventing opioid tolerance. This approach could control cancer while addressing pain through a non-opioid, biologically rational approach.
A new Phase II trial will examine whether giving chemotherapy or chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy before surgery can improve survival compared to surgery alone. The trial aims to identify a treatment that will help patients live longer without the cancer returning.
Researchers at MD Anderson have made significant advancements in cancer treatment, demonstrating the effectiveness of immunotherapy before and after surgery in improving lung cancer patient outcomes. Additionally, a new study shows promise in using CAR T cell therapy to treat large B-cell lymphoma, reducing relapse rates.
Researchers discovered that high levels of protein BATF2 drive tumor immune suppression in head and neck cancer. Glutamine in the tumor microenvironment silences BATF2, affecting the STING signaling pathway and overall immune response.
Researchers developed an artificial saliva containing sugarcane protein, CANECPI-5, to aid in treating teeth of patients with head and neck cancer. The solution significantly reduced bacterial activity and tooth demineralization when combined with fluoride and xylitol.
Two studies found that elevated bacteria levels in tumors weaken immune response, driving resistance to immunotherapy. Researchers are now exploring how to identify patients most likely to benefit from immunotherapy and develop targeted interventions to restore its effectiveness.
Researchers developed an AI-based noninvasive tool to predict oropharyngeal cancer spread, identifying patients who should receive aggressive treatment or undergo de-intensification. The tool improved risk stratification, enabling more accurate predictions of survival and cancer spread.
A recent study analyzing over 1,400 cases of squamous cell carcinoma found that more aggressive histopathological variants occur at a rate of 4.6%, significantly lower than previous estimates. The researchers highlight the importance of considering regional differences in tumor origin and behavior to improve treatment outcomes.
Researchers found that patients with low physical activity levels are at higher risk of developing lymphedema. The study used a lymph scanner to measure tissue water and identified limits for what is considered lymphedema. Regular physical activity may help reduce the risk of lymphedema after head and neck cancer treatment.
Researchers at UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry are studying novel targets and approaches to treat oral squamous cell carcinoma, the most common type of oral cancer. The studies aim to reduce pain management and mucositis in patients undergoing radiotherapy.
A new study from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center identifies unique genetic signatures in cancer patients of non-European ancestry and finds adding immunotherapy can boost effectiveness for hard-to-treat follicular lymphomas. Additionally, researchers discover a web-based system to report head-and-neck cancer concerns, leading to...
A new blood-based liquid biopsy model, LiBIO score, predicts immunotherapy response with high accuracy. The model identifies an early post-treatment time point as optimal for assessing treatment response and can help identify patients who are more likely to benefit from immunotherapy.
Surgeons at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have successfully performed the country's first procedure using a device that combines PET and CT scans to aid in accurate staging and therapy response assessment. The use of this technology may allow surgeons to immediately assess the success of resection in achieving a negative margin.
A phase III trial finds that intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and proton beam therapy resulted in similar quality-of-life outcomes and low rates of side effects for people with locally advanced oropharyngeal cancer. Excellent tumor control and fewer long-term side effects were seen with both treatments.
Researchers from UCLA presented findings on targeted radioactive therapy, new SBRT approaches and advances in MRI- and 5DCT-guided imaging. The LUNAR clinical trial looked at adding a targeted therapy before ablative radiotherapy for men with recurrent prostate cancer.
A new liquid biopsy tool, HPV-DeepSeek, can identify HPV-associated head and neck cancer in asymptomatic individuals up to 10 years before diagnosis. The test uses whole-genome sequencing to detect microscopic fragments of HPV DNA in the blood.
Researchers have developed a new technique to measure boron in individual cancer cells, enabling the study of how drugs interact with tumour cells. This breakthrough could lead to more effective treatments for head and neck cancers.
Researchers at MD Anderson have made significant advancements in treating kidney cancer, including the use of metastasis-directed targeted radiation therapy to delay systemic treatments. Additionally, preliminary data from an ELI-002 vaccine trial showed promise in delaying relapse of KRAS-mutated pancreatic and colorectal cancers.
The ASTRO's 2025 Annual Meeting will feature pivotal studies in radiation medicine, highlighting advances in radiopharmaceutical therapy and new indications for low-dose radiation therapy. The meeting will also explore cutting-edge techniques for prostate, breast, lung, and other common cancers.
A new mitochondrial-targeting drug, LCL768, has been developed to attack head and neck cancer cells by damaging their mitochondria. The drug's ability to increase ceramide levels inside mitochondria triggers mitophagy, leading to cancer cell death.
A new class of targeted therapy showed promise in treating head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in pet cats, with 35% of patients experiencing controlled disease. The drug, which targets the transcription factor STAT3, also raised levels of PD-1, a protein associated with an immune response to cancer.
A phase 2 clinical trial found that autologous tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) cell therapy helped stabilize metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in some patients. The median response duration was 7.6 months, with cancer stabilization occurring in 64% of patients.
Researchers found that HPV16 undermines the body's defenses by reprogramming immune cells surrounding tumors. Blocking IL-23 boosts experimental treatments for HPV to eliminate cancer cells.
The researchers developed a novel approach to virtual contrast enhancement in MRI imaging, using pixelwise gradient methods with Generative Adversarial Networks. The model excelled in capturing intricate details and textures, outperforming its predecessor in texture representation.
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma are conducting a first-of-its-kind study to investigate the effect of cannabis use on facial wound healing in head and neck cancer patients. The study aims to determine whether cannabis smoking negatively affects wound healing, with potential implications for other types of surgery and conditions.
Researchers have developed an AI system that can recognize the early warning stages of laryngeal cancer from voice recordings. By analyzing variations in tone, pitch, and volume, the AI can distinguish between voices with benign vocal fold lesions and those with cancer. The study's findings offer a promising breakthrough for non-invasi...
Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine have developed a novel approach to enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapy treatments for head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). Delivering radiation therapy that preserves tumor-draining lymph nodes followed by immunotherapy resulted in a complete and durable tumor response in...
Researchers have identified a novel diagnostic tool that can predict patient outcomes for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The LIMA1-alpha protein reliably identifies patients who can be cured with surgery alone, avoiding unnecessary oncological treatments.
Researchers identified RTK dependent and independent mechanisms of resistance to EGFR targeted therapies in breast and head and neck cancers, highlighting opportunities for combination therapies and biomarker identification.