Articles tagged with Head and Neck Cancer
A recent study published in Scientific Reports correlates higher levels of pollutant particulate matter with increased occurrences of head and neck aerodigestive cancer. The research found a significant association between exposure to PM2.5 and the incidence of head and neck cancer, shedding light on the environmental factor contributi...
Researchers developed a new imaging technique using fluorescence-guided surgery to enhance visibility of tumors and nerves during head and neck cancer surgery. The technique uses two near-infrared fluorophores, one for tumors and another for facial nerves, allowing for clear differentiation between cancerous tissues and nerves.
Researchers have developed a 'mini-protein' that targets cancer cells expressing Nectin-4, allowing for direct delivery of radiation to tumours. The treatment shows promise in targeting multiple types of cancers and has the potential to be safe for repeated administrations.
TYRA-300 shows promise in treating metastatic bladder cancer patients with FGFR3 gene mutations, achieving a 50% overall response rate and 100% disease control rate. The treatment also displays improved tolerability with lower side effects compared to existing pan-FGFR inhibitors.
Researchers have found that tumors with a short-lived response to hormone therapy had a mutation in the p53 gene, which can be targeted by CDK2 inhibitors. A new study also provides updated dosing guidelines for stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) to minimize complications in patients with spinal metastasis.
A study by Boston University School of Medicine found that cancer clinical trials in head and neck cancer are becoming less racially and ethnically diverse over time. The situation has worsened in the last 10 years, with only 7-12% of participants being Black or Hispanic compared to 58% in some local trials.
A randomized trial halted after patients in the control arm reached a record high two-year progression-free survival rate of 98%. Deintensified treatments involving lower radiation dose and immunotherapy did not perform as well as standard chemoradiation.
A new study found that over a dozen bacterial species in the oral microbiome are linked to a 30-50% increased chance of developing head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The research analyzed data from 159,840 Americans and identified key bacteria that may contribute to the disease.
Researchers from National Cancer Centre Singapore have successfully used exosomes to target squamous cell cancer tumours resistant to EGFR-TKIs. The study found that exosomes carrying a specific protein can increase sensitivity to TKIs in both lab and mouse models, providing new therapeutic solutions for patients with poor prognosis.
Researchers have found that natural killer cells instinctively recognize and attack the XPO1 protein, which drives cancer growth. By targeting this protein, scientists may be able to activate more killer cells to destroy cancer cells. The study suggests that this approach could lead to personalized cancer treatment with less side effects.
A new study suggests a mouthwash-based test can help physicians predict disease recurrence in head and neck cancer patients by detecting biomarkers in saliva. Elevated levels of CD44 and total protein were associated with increased recurrence risk, highlighting the potential for early detection and reducing morbidity and mortality.
A Rice University-led team is developing an affordable system to improve tumor removal accuracy for breast and head and neck cancer. The AccessPath system enables rapid, automatic tumor margin classification, revolutionizing real-time surgical guidance.
This systematic review examines current methodologies and updates in early diagnosis practices for HNSCC, highlighting the need for effective screening methods. Effective early diagnostic practices will significantly impact patient outcomes, reducing the burden of HNSCC and enhancing quality of life.
A large multicenter study found that adults with cannabis dependence are 3.5 to 5 times more likely to develop head and neck cancer than non-users. The researchers suggest that the primary reason for this increased risk is the damaging effect of cannabis smoke, which may be worse than tobacco smoke.
A cohort study found an association between cannabis-related disorder and the development of head and neck cancer. The study highlights the need for further research on the mechanism of this association and dose response to support evidence of cannabis use as a risk factor.
A phase II clinical trial found that combining sEphB4-HSA with pembrolizumab improved outcomes in HPV-negative, EphrinB2-positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients. The combination showed a favorable toxicity profile and activity, particularly among those with HNSCC.
The study establishes criteria for identifying extranodal extension on imaging, allowing radiologists to make accurate calls and provide patients with less invasive treatments. This shift towards practice change has the potential to reduce side effects and improve outcomes for patients with HPV-associated head and neck cancers.
A new liquid biopsy method analyzes gene fragments in the bloodstream to detect and track cancer, enabling oncologists to tailor treatment approaches to individual patients. This non-invasive test can help monitor treatment success, detect cancer recurrence, and improve patient quality of life.
Researchers at George Mason University are conducting a study to map protein pathways in head and neck cancers. They will analyze pre-specified proteins and phosphoproteins involved in inflammation, DNA damage, and cell survival pathways using comprehensive reverse-phase protein microarray analysis.
Rural residents with head and neck cancer experience higher mortality rates due to factors like alcohol use, tobacco consumption, and lower HPV vaccination rates. This disparity widens the rural-urban mortality gap.
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has published an updated clinical guideline for treating patients with HPV-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. The guideline emphasizes the importance of tailored radiation strategies to maximize patient survival while minimizing side effects. It provides recommendations fo...
The American Society for Radiation Oncology has released new guidelines for radiation therapy in HPV-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), recommending optimal dosing regimens to reduce acute and late effects. Concurrent chemotherapy with cisplatin is recommended for more advanced tumors or multiple lymph nodes.
The ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group will present late-breaking findings on prostate cancer, breast cancer, and pancreas cancer at ASCO 2024. These studies include optimal chemotherapy for Black women with breast cancer and results from the first randomized national trial in older adults with pancreas cancer.
Researchers have developed a urine-based test that detects pieces of DNA fragments released by head and neck tumors, providing a non-invasive alternative to traditional blood-based biomarker tests. The test has been shown to detect cancer recurrences far earlier than would typically happen based on clinical imaging.
Researchers have developed a new treatment that uses tailored doses of anti-cancer drugs released directly into the surgical cavity to treat liver cancer. The approach has shown promise in reducing recurrence rates and minimizing chemotherapy side effects, with potential applications for other types of cancer.
A personalized vaccine, TG4050, has been shown to induce tumor-specific immune responses and delay disease relapse in patients with surgically resected HPV-negative head and neck squamous cell cancer. The vaccine uses a nonpathogenic form of poxvirus to deliver unique neoantigens that activate and expand antitumor T cells.
Low HPV vaccine uptake among US adults aged 27-45 is a concern, particularly for men and Hispanic individuals. Experts stress the need to address disparities in vaccination rates to prevent cancer cases.
The NCI-MATCH precision medicine trial discovered that trastuzumab-pertuzumab, approved for HER2-positive breast cancer, can shrink tumors in patients with other types of cancer and high levels of the HER2 gene. The study found a 12% confirmed overall response rate, with partial responses in various cancers.
A study published in Cancer Research Communications reveals a potential genetic marker associated with better survival outcomes in patients with head and neck cancer. The researchers found that the presence of a specific genetic variant and higher expression of the GAN gene product gigaxonin may contribute to improved survival rates.
Seven high-impact studies will be showcased, exploring novel therapies and improving treatment outcomes for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. These findings highlight advancements in immunotherapy, risk-directed adjuvant therapy, and FDG-PET-based selective de-escalation of radiotherapy.
Scientists from the La Jolla Institute for Immunology found that patients with 'cold' tumors produce cancer-fighting T cells, suggesting a potential cure from within. The researchers developed an approach called 'Identify, Predict, Validate' to detect these T cells in over 130 patients.
A recent study by Pusan National University scientists discovered the crucial role of PKM gene and EPHA2 pathway in HNSCC development. The research highlights the importance of HPV infection status in shaping the tumor microenvironment, enabling precision medicine for targeted treatment.
Head and neck cancer patients exposed to secondhand smoke during chemotherapy have reduced treatment effectiveness. Secondhand smoke alters protein expression, restricting chemotherapy's ability to kill cancer cells. This raises concerns about cancer prognosis and the importance of smoking cessation.
Research finds socioeconomically advantaged parents are less likely to vaccinate their teens against HPV due to safety concerns. Parents from disadvantaged groups cite lack of knowledge as a reason for hesitancy.
A new study analyzes an AI-based algorithm for autocontouring prior to radiotherapy in head and neck cancer, demonstrating significant time savings and clinically usable results. The AI algorithm achieved a mean score of 3.56 +/- .40, indicating that it performed well with minor edits required in most cases.
Researchers identified senescence-related tumor microenvironment genes associated with poor prognosis, genetic alterations, and reduced responsiveness to immunotherapy in HNSC. The study highlights the importance of precision medicine approaches for personalized treatment.
A recent study published in Cell Reports reveals that cancer cells can prevent the immune system from attacking them by inhibiting key checkpoints. Researchers found that monotherapy agents targeting these checkpoints may not be effective without an inflammatory trigger, explaining why some immunotherapies work while others fail.
Researchers found that high levels of FSP1 are associated with relapse after cisplatin treatment in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Targeting FSP1 can attenuate tumor stemness and downregulate invasion and metastatic rates, suggesting a potential new approach for treating drug-tolerant persister cancer cells.
A new diagnostic kit allows dentists to screen for oral squamous cell carcinoma with a simple brush biopsy, detecting genetic signals of the disease with over 90% accuracy. The non-invasive test is less complicated than surgical biopsies and can be performed in under a minute without numbing required.
The study found a decline in localized head and neck cancer incidence during the first year of the pandemic. However, advanced-stage diagnoses may rise in subsequent years, indicating a potential shift in the disease's progression.
A new study found that patients treated at community cancer centers have poorer survival rates compared to those at academic medical centers. The study analyzed data from over 20,000 patients with HPV-related oropharyngeal squamous cell cancers.
A new study finds that analyzing surgical lymphatic fluid for HPV DNA can predict cancer recurrence and guide treatment decisions. The test was found to be more sensitive than traditional methods, detecting high-risk patients who may be missed by standard tools.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that lidocaine activates the bitter taste receptor T2R14, which triggers apoptosis in cancer cells. This mechanism could lead to improved treatment options for patients with head and neck cancers, particularly those associated with human papillomavirus.
A new study found that consuming ultra-processed foods is associated with a higher risk of developing upper aerodigestive tract cancers. The study analysed data from 450,111 adults and found that eating more UPFs was linked to a 23% higher risk of head and neck cancer and a 24% higher risk of oesophageal adenocarcinoma.
Researchers at the University of Kentucky are working on a new device to quickly measure tumor properties using spectroscopic imaging. This technology aims to make radiation treatment more effective for patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer, which is resistant to radiation.
Men who are overweight or obese at age 18 have a higher risk of developing 17 different cancers later in life. Higher BMI is also associated with an increased risk of mortality after cancer diagnosis for certain types of cancer.
Postoperative wound infections in the head and neck region are common complications, with risk factors including age, smoking, and comorbidities. Aseptic operating conditions and peri/postoperative antibiotics can help minimize infection rates.
A new cancer immunotherapy that targets two immune-evading tumor tactics has shown promising results in an early clinical trial. The drug, tebotelimab, blocks both PD-1 and LAG-3 proteins, leading to a double-digit response rate in patients with advanced solid tumors or blood cancers.
A new study found that a shorter radiation treatment course is just as effective as a longer schedule for patients with non-HPV-related locally advanced disease. Delivering fewer, but higher doses of radiation was associated with similar tumor control and late-term side effects.
Cancer researchers at University of Cincinnati Cancer Center are exploring a new method called lattice therapy, which delivers higher doses to tumors and lower doses to surrounding tissues. The approach has shown promise in reducing treatment time and improving patient outcomes for head and neck, lung, and brain tumors.
Research reveals strong associations between oral health and survival among people diagnosed with head and neck cancer, with better oral health linked to increased survival. Frequent dental visits were found to be associated with earlier cancer diagnosis and less deadly disease stages.
Researchers found that a combination of AXL and EGFR inhibitors can suppress tumor growth and prevent relapse in patients with certain cancers. The study clarifies the novel regulatory mechanism by which AXL stimulates YAP via the EGFR-LATS1/2 axis.
Researchers found that patients with HPV-positive cancers develop recurrent disease significantly later than those that were HPV-negative, and also are more likely to spread to the lungs. A new, highly sensitive blood test has been developed to detect cancer earlier, using a framework for combining routine blood testing and imaging.
A recent study published in JAMA Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery found that patients with undiagnosed head and neck cancer who received antibiotics prior to diagnosis experienced longer diagnostic times, highlighting the need for improved dissemination of clinical practice guidelines.
A multidisciplinary team at Hollings Cancer Center has launched a trial to reduce delays in starting radiation therapy after surgery, which can worsen outcomes. The ENDURE approach addresses organizational, team, and patient-level barriers to care, with promising preliminary results.
A large long-term study found that good cardiorespiratory fitness in young men is associated with a significantly lower risk of developing nine specific cancers, including a 40% reduced risk of liver cancer. Higher fitness was also linked to lower risks of rectal, pancreatic, and bowel cancers.
Researchers have developed an oncolytic virus that can 'warm up' cold tumors and improve immunotherapy outcomes. The virus was engineered to carry a gene encoding a TGF-β inhibitor, which greatly increased survival rates in mice with aggressive melanoma and other cancers.
Researchers from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have developed an AI model to diagnose sarcopenia, a predictor of poor outcomes in head and neck cancer. The tool provides fast, automated, and accurate assessments that can trigger interventions to improve patient care.
Researchers highlight the need for effective treatment strategies for adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the head and neck, which is a highly malignant tumor with variable localizations. Proton therapy shows decisive advantages in long-term survival rates for ACC.
A new study identifies two distinct subtypes of human papillomavirus-positive head and neck cancers with different treatment outcomes. Tumors with high NF-kB activity are more responsive to radiation therapy, leading to improved patient survival.