Articles tagged with Head and Neck Cancer
A new study reports that consuming high amounts of carbohydrates and sugar prior to treatment for head and neck cancer may increase patients' risks of cancer recurrence and mortality. However, moderate fat and starchy food consumption after treatment appears to have protective benefits, reducing disease recurrence and death rates.
A research team at Case Western Reserve University is developing an AI-powered tool to analyze computerized images of tissue samples for patterns that can predict the risk of recurrence in oropharyngeal cancers. This could lead to more personalized treatment approaches for patients with these aggressive tumors.
A clinical trial found that nivolumab can be administered safely with radiation therapy and chemotherapy for patients with newly diagnosed local-regionally advanced head and neck cancers. Most patients completed curative-intent radiation therapy and were able to tolerate continuing immunotherapy for up to a year.
A phase II trial demonstrates the safety and efficacy of de-escalating radiation therapy by 30-35% for patients with HPV-positive disease who respond well to chemotherapy given prior to radiation. Patients experienced excellent survival rates and improved functional outcomes with fewer side effects.
A phase II trial found cabozantinib to be an active agent in treating metastatic, radioactive iodine-resistant differentiated thyroid cancer, with 34 of 35 patients experiencing tumor shrinkage. The treatment also showed a high response rate and was well-tolerated despite common side effects.
The phase II CONDOR trial demonstrates durvalumab's safety and encouraging anti-tumor activity as second-line treatment for tumors with low or negative PD-L1 expression. Seventeen patients experienced partial responses, with an overall response rate of 9.2% for durvalumab alone.
A new study provides guidelines for assessing the severity of head and neck cancers by counting malignant lymph nodes, which are found to be a key factor in predicting patient survival. The number of positive nodes can categorize patients into distinct groups with varying outcomes.
Research found a steady rise in eyelid squamous cell carcinoma cases in England over the past 15 years, with an annual increase of 2%. The risk doubles for every decade above age 60. Squamous cell cancer is the second most common skin malignancy and can cause disfigurement and functional problems if it spreads.
Researchers found that even mild depressive symptoms were associated with poorer overall survival in patients with head and neck cancer. The study indicates that patients should be screened for depressive symptoms at diagnosis and treated promptly to improve treatment outcomes.
A study published in Pediatric Blood and Cancer found proton therapy to be as effective as photon radiation while improving quality of life for pediatric head and neck cancer patients. The treatment resulted in similar rates of tumor control and lower rates of toxicity, with no severe side effects reported.
A study by the American College of Physicians found that almost 11 million US men have oral human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, with a high prevalence among men with multiple lifetime oral sex partners and those who report having sex with men. HPV causes various cancers, including oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, which dispropo...
Researchers at Penn Medicine are using a fluorescent dye to identify cancerous lymph nodes during head and neck cancer procedures, providing real-time guidance for surgeons. The study aims to minimize the risk of damage to healthy tissue while removing potentially suspicious lymph nodes.
A study has identified a new strategy to treat HPV-related cancers, targeting the virus's E6 oncoprotein and its interaction with myc protein. This approach could lead to a more specific and less toxic treatment option.
Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine have developed a drug combination that doubles down on immunotherapy's effectiveness in treating head and neck cancer. The combination of toll-like receptors agonists and other immunotherapies injected directly into tumors suppresses tumor growth throughout the body.
The KEYNOTE-040 trial found that pembrolizumab significantly improved outcomes in patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, especially those with high PD-L1 expression. The study also showed a better side-effect profile for pembrolizumab compared to standard treatments.
The Clinical Practice Guideline: Evaluation of the Neck Mass in Adults aims to reduce delays in diagnosis of malignant disease and optimize outcomes. The guideline addresses testing and physical examination of an adult with a neck mass, promoting high-quality and cost-effective care.
A novel peptide mimics the pathway that HPV-positive cancer cells use to respond to treatment, leading to increased cell death in HPV-negative cancer cells. The peptide improves therapeutic intervention in HPV-negative head and neck cancers.
A University of Colorado Cancer Center paper describes a mechanism linking viral infection and cancer caused by APOBEC3 enzymes, which are part of the immune system's response to viruses. The research suggests that targeting these enzymes could prevent or treat certain types of cancer.
A new study shows that immunotherapy nivolumab improves quality of life for patients with advanced head and neck cancer, while traditional chemotherapies cause decline in quality of life from the start of treatment. The drug sparks the immune system into action against cancers, greatly increasing survival rates.
A study of over 450,000 women found that HPV testing led to a 15.8% increase in cervical precancer detection and shorter time to diagnosis, but also resulted in more biopsies and surgical procedures. The benefits of HPV testing outweigh the harms, but caution is needed due to potential overtreatment.
Researchers found that combining pembrolizumab with epacadostat improved pathological complete response rates in patients with triple-negative breast cancer. The treatment also showed promising responses in other cancers, such as non-small cell lung cancer and squamous cell head and neck cancer.
The new ASTRO clinical practice guideline provides recommendations for the management of oropharyngeal cancer, including optimal radiation dose and fractionation schedules, chemotherapy integration, and post-operative treatment. The guideline aims to improve treatment outcomes while minimizing long-term side effects.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that people who spend time in jails and prisons are more likely to develop certain types of cancer than the general population in Ontario. The study also revealed that these individuals have a higher mortality rate from cancer, particularly for men.
A new study found that twice-daily radiation therapy combined with chemotherapy reduces head and neck cancer deaths by 20% and slows disease progression. The treatment, known as hyperfractionated radiotherapy, has shown promise in treating advanced stage patients who face lower survival rates.
Researchers at McGill University Health Centre have made a groundbreaking epigenetic modification that may improve treatment options for 15% of patients with head and neck cancer. The discovery could lead to targeted, more effective treatments with fewer side effects.
A specific group of genetic variants in the human leukocyte antigen genomic region is linked to enhanced protection against HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer. The study found eight loci associated with susceptibility to oral cavity and pharyngeal cancer, including seven that had not been previously linked to mouth or throat cancer.
A sub-analysis of the KEYNOTE-012 trial found that Asian head and neck cancer patients lived longer with pembrolizumab than the overall population. The fixed dose of pembrolizumab showed better median overall survival and disease control rates in Asians, indicating potential as a first-line treatment.
A new study suggests that blood-borne HPV antibodies can serve as a reliable biomarker for predicting the outcome of all types of head and neck cancer. The researchers found that patients with an immune response to HPV have a lower risk of dying during the five-year follow-up period, regardless of the exact location of their tumors.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have discovered that defective ion channels in T cells may contribute to the inability of the immune system to fight off head and neck cancers. By targeting these channels, patients with these cancers could have better outcomes.
Researchers have developed a new cancer treatment called photoimmunotherapy that combines the immune system with laser energy to target and destroy cancer cells. This innovative technique delivers precise, lethal payloads with minimal collateral damage.
A study in the UK found that the rise in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma incidence was not solely driven by human papillomavirus (HPV) positivity. The proportion of HPV-positive and -negative cases remained static, suggesting multiple factors contribute to OPSCC, including HPV infection, smoking, and alcohol consumption.
A new immunotherapy drug nivolumab has been shown to significantly increase survival rates and reduce adverse side effects in patients with recurrent head and neck cancer. The trial found that patients on nivolumab survived an average of 7.5 months, compared to 5.1 months for those receiving standard therapy.
In a phase III trial, nivolumab showed improved patient-reported outcomes, including reduced symptoms and maintained functional capacity, compared to standard chemotherapy. The study found that nivolumab not only prolongs life but also improves quality of life.
A phase III clinical trial found that nivolumab significantly extended life among patients with relapsed head and neck cancer without worsening quality of life. The treatment also showed fewer side effects compared to chemotherapy, with only 13% of patients experiencing serious side-effects.
The CheckMate 141 trial found that nivolumab maintained or improved function and reduced symptoms in patients with relapsed metastatic head and neck cancer. In contrast, standard chemotherapy resulted in worse scores. Nivolumab's superior clinical activity also suggests fewer side effects, leading to a better quality of life for patients.
A phase I study of BAY 1163877 identified patients who will respond to the pan-FGFR inhibitor based on tumor mRNA expression, with notable activity seen in bladder cancer and adenoid cystic carcinoma. The drug was well-tolerated, revealing a toxicity profile better than other FGFR inhibitors under development.
A nationwide study in France found that the true burden of head and neck cancer is significantly higher than previously estimated. The EPICORL study revealed a five-year survival rate of 34% and a high risk of secondary primary cancers, with distant metastases at diagnosis associated with a six-fold increase in mortality.
Researchers found that a particular strain of HPV resulted in better overall survival for patients with oropharyngeal cancer. Patients infected with other strains had similar survival rates as those without HPV.
A trial by the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute found that broccoli sprout extract activates a detoxification gene, protecting against oral cancer recurrence. The results were confirmed through human, animal, and laboratory tests.
In a phase II clinical trial, pembrolizumab elicited partial responses in 17% of patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer. The overall response rate was more than triple that of methotrexate, the current standard treatment for resistant cases.
A large, randomized international trial has shown that immunotherapy, specifically nivolumab, significantly improves overall survival and quality of life in patients with rapidly progressing head and neck carcinoma. The treatment also demonstrated a lower rate of serious adverse events compared to standard chemotherapy.
Researchers found that adding metformin to a chemotherapy and radiation treatment regimen for head and neck cancer patients showed improved outcomes, including better overall survival, compared to those not on metformin. However, faster escalation of metformin was poorly tolerated due to nausea, vomiting, and other side effects.
A phase III trial found that patients taking nivolumab were more than twice as likely to be alive after one year compared to those treated with chemotherapy. Median survival for nivolumab was 7.5 months, significantly longer than 5.1 months for chemotherapy.
A study from MD Anderson Cancer Center reveals a strong association between hepatitis C and certain head and neck cancers, such as oropharyngeal and nonoropharyngeal cancers. The findings have significant implications for screening and treatment of both conditions.
Advanced PET-CT scans have enabled the identification of remaining cancer cells after treatment, allowing for targeted surveillance and reducing the need for unnecessary neck dissection surgeries. This innovative approach has shown significant cost savings and improved patient outcomes.
The new guideline provides recommendations for key areas of clinical follow-up care for head and neck cancer survivors, including surveillance for recurrence, screening for second primary cancers, and assessment of physical and psychosocial effects. It aims to improve care and health outcomes for this growing population.
A study using nationwide population-based data found that chemoradiation therapy improves survival rates among a subset of elderly head and neck cancer patients. Patients aged 71-79 with low comorbidity scores and advanced disease stage showed a significant survival benefit from chemoradiation, while those aged 80 and above did not.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have discovered that a human cancer-causing gene called DEK can be detected in the plasma of head and neck cancer patients. High levels of DEK may indicate better outcomes for patients, while low levels are associated with advanced cancers.
A study published in Cancer found that combining chemotherapy with radiation therapy improves survival rates among a subset of elderly head and neck cancer patients, specifically those aged 71 to 79. This improvement was not previously shown in patients older than 70 years.
A majority of locally advanced head and neck cancer (LAHNC) patients use cost-coping strategies to manage treatment costs. Socioeconomic factors are associated with the use of these strategies, with patients with Medicaid relying more on financial coping mechanisms.
A large-scale analysis of patient records found that chemotherapy before radiation therapy did not improve overall survival rates for head and neck cancer patients. Patients who received concurrent chemotherapy and radiation had slightly longer median overall survival times compared to those receiving chemotherapy alone.
Researchers mapped molecular signatures in HPV-positive throat cancer patients based on smoking status. Heavy smokers had higher rates of mutations, including HLA-A and tobacco-exposure associated genes, which predicted poorer survival outcomes. These findings support more aggressive treatment for some patients.
A large-scale analysis of patient records found that induction chemotherapy did not improve overall survival rates or increase the likelihood of receiving a full course of radiation therapy. The study compared more than 8,000 patients who received induction chemotherapy with those who received concurrent chemoradiation.
Most recurrences of HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer can be detected through imaging and physical exams within 6 months after treatment. The study found that disease characteristics, such as lymph node size and number, increase the likelihood of recurrence.
Uninsured and Medicaid patients with head and neck cancer more likely to present with advanced tumors, experience higher mortality rates. Radiation therapy and surgery used less often for these patients.
Researchers at CNIO have identified two biomarkers, p21 and mTOR activation, that predict a less aggressive head and neck cancer progression. The study's findings could lead to personalized treatment options for patients.
Researchers discovered a strong link between HPV-16 presence in the mouth and increased risk of oropharyngeal cancer. Detecting oral HPVs may help predict people's risk for developing head and neck cancers.
A Stanford University School of Medicine researcher found that six otolaryngologists were paid by tobacco companies to testify that environmental factors, not smoking, caused head and neck cancers. The physicians' testimony was scientifically invalid and part of a defense strategy to create doubt in jurors' minds.
A study from VA and the University of Alabama at Birmingham found that honokiol shuts down cancer cells in lab, blocking EGFR protein in squamous cell head and neck cancers. The compound has shown promise as a treatment option for this aggressive form of cancer.
Scientists successfully identified tumor DNA shed into the blood and saliva of patients with head and neck cancer, offering a promising new screening test. Saliva tests fared better for oral cavity cancers, while blood tests excelled in detecting cancers in the larynx, hypopharynx, and oropharynx.