Articles tagged with Head and Neck Cancer
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.
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.
Immunotherapy with pembrolizumab was effective in 24.8% of patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer, resulting in significant tumor shrinkage and improved outcomes.
Researchers at Oregon State University have developed pactamycin analogs that can cause rapid cell aging and induce premature senescence in cancer cells, slowing or stopping tumor growth. The findings show promise for a new approach to cancer treatment with reduced toxicity and debilitating side effects.
Researchers observe complex biochemical interactions between nerves and cancer cells, challenging conventional wisdom on perineural invasion. This dance-like movement allows cancer cells to invade nerves, leading to poor patient survival and severe complications.
Researchers have found that broccoli sprout extract can protect against oral cancer in mice and has shown protective changes in the lining of the mouths of healthy human volunteers. A human clinical trial is underway to explore its potential in preventing head and neck cancer recurrence.
The HPV vaccine was highly effective against common cancer-causing human papillomaviruses beyond types 16 and 18. Young women vaccinated before sexual debut showed substantial protection against cervical abnormalities and precancerous cell transformations.
The study found genomic similarities between head and neck cancer genomes and other cancers, including squamous cell lung and cervical cancer. Researchers also identified potential new drug targets and biomarkers for treating HPV-related head and neck cancers.
A study led by a UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center researcher identified genomic changes in head and neck cancers linked to the sexually transmitted disease HPV. The findings, published in Nature, may help lead to new therapies and identify markers for patients likely to respond to treatment.
A comprehensive catalog of genetic mutations has been published for 279 head and neck cancers, revealing distinct genetic profiles for HPV-positive and -negative patients. This finding may lead to the development of targeted therapies and improved outcomes for these cancer types.
The CUDC-101 clinical trial, conducted at the University of Colorado Cancer Center, demonstrated activity against key drivers of head and neck cancer. In the study, patients with medium- to high-risk head and neck cancer showed significant results after treatment with CUDC-101 combined with radiation and chemotherapy.
A multidisciplinary team found that adding head and neck cancer screenings to recommended lung cancer screenings could improve early detection and survival. The study suggests that people at risk for lung cancer are also at higher risk for head and neck cancer, with the five-year survival rate being over 83% when caught early.
A study by Ohio State University researchers found that patients treated at highly-experienced radiation oncology centers had better survival rates and fewer cancer recurrences compared to those treated at less experienced centers. The study analyzed data from 470 patients treated with radiation therapy between 2002-2005.
A study of 596 patients found that those taking antacid medications had significantly better overall survival rates than non-users. The results suggest that proton pump inhibitors and histamine 2 blockers may have a favorable impact on patient outcomes.
A pooled analysis of five cohort studies found that smoking before first cancer diagnosis increases risk of developing a second smoking-related cancer. Smoking survivors have up to a 5-fold higher risk of developing a second primary smoking-associated cancer compared to non-smokers.
A new study shows that patients with HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer respond better to treatment, making lingering neck bumps likely benign. This suggests skipping neck surgery for these patients could be a viable option.
Researchers have found a link between tumor suppressor mutations and missing segments of genetic material in squamous cell head and neck cancers. The study suggests that treating tumors with both markers may intensify treatment, while those with only one marker may benefit from de-intensified treatment.
University of Michigan researchers identified a protein called TRIP13 that enables cancer cells to repair themselves and survive despite chemotherapy. The team found an existing chemical compound that can block this process, potentially increasing the effectiveness of cancer treatment and improving patient survival rates.
The human papillomavirus (HPV) infection affects both men and women, leading to genital warts and various types of cancer. Vaccinating boys against HPV can prevent these health issues and reduce the burden on healthcare systems.
Patients with diabetes are at a higher risk for developing head and neck cancers, which account for about 6% of all cancer cases globally. A study found that the incidence of HNC was 1.47 times higher in diabetic patients compared to those without diabetes.
Researchers have found a consistent pattern of gene expression associated with tumor spreading in mice, which was also found in human oral cancer samples. A transcriptional signature predicting metastatic disease was identified with about 93% accuracy.
A pilot study at CWRU Dental School and UH Case Medical Center investigates the use of human beta-defensin-3 (hBD-3) to detect oral cancers. High levels of hBD-3 have been found in precancerous tissues and some oral cancers, suggesting its potential as an early diagnosis tool.
Despite progress in treating head and neck cancer, MU researchers found that prognosis for African-Americans has not improved over the last 40 years. The study analyzed data from 1973 to 2010, showing a significantly decreased five-year overall survival rate of 41.8 percent for African-Americans compared to 60.8 percent for Caucasians.
A study published in Chromatographia found that certain volatile organic compounds, including ethanol and 2-butanone, are higher in individuals with larynx cancer. These compounds may serve as potential markers for the disease, offering an alternative to traditional biomarkers.
Researchers identified correlations between protein expression levels and improved survival rates in HPV-negative head-and-neck cancer patients. Survivin expression may serve as a marker for better patient outcomes, particularly those treated with surgery plus radiation.
The Farrah Fawcett Foundation is supporting a new $1.2 million research team to develop vaccines and immunotherapies for HPV-driven cancers, which currently have few therapeutic options. The team aims to identify tumor targets, activate specific immune cells, and deploy them at the tumor site for selective destruction of cancer.
A research team led by Ellis L. Reinherz and Robert I. Haddad will focus on developing new vaccines and immunotherapeutic approaches to improve outcomes for patients with HPV-driven cancers who have relapsed after initial therapy. The grant aims to provide a novel approach to treating this population.
Patients with HPV+ throat cancer have good prognosis, but tumors elsewhere in the head and neck have no prognostic effect of being HPV+, researchers found. HPV status has significant impact on tumour control, survival, and death from any cause for oropharyngeal cancers.
Researchers found that recurrent cancers have unique gene mutations sensitive to dasatinib, a promising new treatment option for recurrent head and neck cancers.
A new study published in the journal Cancer has identified a novel biomarker, CCTα, associated with improved survival rates in patients with head and neck cancers and non-small cell lung cancer. The findings suggest that CCTα may be a more important predictor of patient outcomes than previously established ERCC1.
A team of researchers identified two biomarkers that accurately predict a patient's response to radiation therapy, offering new hope for personalized treatment. The study published in the European Journal of Cancer found these markers can help avoid unnecessary side effects and reduce morbidity.
A study of 439,628 veterans found that taking Valproic acid for at least one year lowered the risk of developing head and neck cancer by 34%. Higher doses and longer durations of use provided additional benefits with up to 16,000 new cases potentially prevented annually in the US.
A retrospective analysis found that HPV-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma patients had a higher overall survival rate than HPV-negative patients after disease progression, with median survival being nearly twice as long. The study also showed improved outcomes for patients who underwent surgery after cancer recurrence.
A study of oropharyngeal cancer patients reveals that radiation therapy can cause significant voice and speech problems. Limiting the radiation dose to the glottic larynx reduces these issues, suggesting a potential strategy for improving post-treatment quality of life.
A study found that daily humidification of the mouth and throat region during radiation therapy for head and neck cancer reduced mucositis and hospital stays by nearly 50%. Patients who used humidification spent significantly fewer days in the hospital to manage side effects compared to those who did not.
A study of 285 stage III-IV SCCOP patients found that HPV-positive patients developed distant metastases later, in more subsites, and atypical sites compared to HPV-negative patients. The most common sites were lung and bone for both groups.
People with late-stage cancer at the back of the mouth or throat that recurs after chemotherapy and radiation treatment are twice as likely to be alive two years later if their cancer is caused by HPV. The longer survival pattern holds even if the cancer returns.
The study found that primary tumor location dictates the risk of disease in the opposite side of the neck, rather than lymph node involvement. No local or regional recurrences were reported, but distant metastasis occurred in 9% of patients.
Researchers found that sparing the contralateral submandibular gland during radiation therapy is possible with advanced stage cancers. The study involved 71 patients who received treatment to the bilateral neck, with no recurrences in the spared gland at a median follow-up of 27.3 months.
Research using next-generation sequencing data and clinical records from HNSCC patients found that combining MATH with HPV status is an effective marker of improved patient outcome. High tumor MATH at surgery is associated with poor outcomes, while HPV-positive patients have lower average MATH values than HPV-negative patients.
A study found that sparing bilateral level IB lymph nodes during radiation therapy for oropharyngeal cancer significantly improved patient-reported xerostomia scores. This reduction also led to lower radiation doses to nearby salivary organs, causing less damage to post-treatment salivary function.
A new study reveals a significant increase in oropharyngeal cancers among young adults, with human papillomavirus (HPV) identified as a possible cause. The five-year survival rate for this age group is 54%, with African Americans facing poorer outcomes compared to other races.
Patients treated with IMRT experience fewer side effects and lower cancer-related deaths compared to traditional radiation therapy. The study found that IMRT is a safe and beneficial treatment option for patients with head and neck cancer, with improved survival rates and reduced life-threatening recurrences.
Patients with head and neck cancers who received IMRT experienced improved outcomes, including a statistically significant improvement in cause-specific survival compared to those treated with conventional therapy. The study found that IMRT reduced treatment-related side effects while delivering effective cancer treatment.
Researchers have discovered a new drug delivery system that uses nanotechnology to effectively inhibit the growth of lung and head and neck cancer cells. The study found that nano-luteolin, a water-soluble polymer encapsulated form of the antioxidant luteolin, is highly effective in chemoprevention.
Researchers found that mutations in phosphatases lead to dysfunction of regulatory proteins that keep the oncogene in check, causing it to stay activated and promote cancer growth. This discovery suggests a new target for drugs to treat head and neck tumors and other cancers.
A study at Johns Hopkins Medicine has identified genetic mutations and molecular alterations linked to higher head and neck cancer death rates in African-Americans, revealing potential targets for improved risk assessment, early detection, and targeted therapy.
A study found that genetic alterations in the PAX gene family may explain head and neck cancer survival disparities between African-American and non-Latino white men. The research identified differential genomic and epigenomic alterations in PAX, NOTCH, and TP53 pathways between the two groups.
A recent EORTC trial found that assessing HRQOL (health-related quality of life) is crucial for both patients with head and neck cancers and their doctors. The study showed that patients in the sequential treatment arm experienced less swallowing and speech problems compared to those in the alternating chemoradiotherapy arm.
Saint Louis University researcher Ratna Ray found that bitter melon extract reduces head and neck cancer cell growth in an animal model. The extract regulated several pathways to help reduce tumor growth, with significant results after four weeks of treatment.
A recent study led by Ohio State University researchers reveals that the virus that causes cervical cancer can directly damage host DNA and contribute to cancer development. The study used whole-genome sequencing to investigate the relationship between HPV and human genomes in cancers.
A study from Henry Ford Hospital found that free head and neck cancer screenings in urban areas had a positive impact on African American communities and current smokers. The screenings also increased knowledge of risk factors such as smoking and alcohol use.