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Microorganisms Dec 2023The incidence of oral cancer has recently been increasing worldwide, particularly among young individuals and women. The primary risk factors for head and neck cancers,...
The incidence of oral cancer has recently been increasing worldwide, particularly among young individuals and women. The primary risk factors for head and neck cancers, including oral and pharyngeal cancers, are smoking, alcohol consumption, poor oral hygiene, and repeated exposure to mechanical stimuli. However, approximately one-third of the patients with oral and pharyngeal cancers are neither smokers nor drinkers, which points to the existence of other mechanisms. Recently, human microbes have been linked to various diseases, including cancer. Oral pathogens, especially periodontal pathobionts, are reported to play a role in the development of colon and other types of cancer. In this study, we employed a series of bioinformatics analyses to pinpoint as the predominant oral bacterial species in oral and pharyngeal cancer tissue samples. We successfully isolated from the saliva of patients with oral cancer and demonstrated that indeed promoted oral squamous cell carcinoma development by activating YAP in a mouse tongue cancer model. Our research offers scientific evidence for the role of the oral microbiome in oral cancer progression and provides insights that would help in devising preventative strategies against oral cancer, potentially by altering oral bacterial profiles.
PubMed: 38138101
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11122957 -
Oncology Reports Mar 2024Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the seventh most commonly diagnosed cancer globally. HNSCC develops from the mucosa of the oral cavity, pharynx and...
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the seventh most commonly diagnosed cancer globally. HNSCC develops from the mucosa of the oral cavity, pharynx and larynx. Methylation levels of septin 9 () and short stature homeobox 2 () genes in circulating cell‑free DNA (ccfDNA) are considered epigenetic biomarkers and have shown predictive value in preliminary reports in HNSCC. Liquid biopsy is a non‑invasive procedure that collects tumor‑derived molecules, including ccfDNA. In the present study, a droplet digital PCR (ddPCR)‑based assay was developed to detect DNA methylation levels of circulating and in the plasma of patients with HNSCC. The assay was first set up using commercial methylated and unmethylated DNA. The dynamic changes in the methylation levels of and were then quantified in 20 patients with HNSCC during follow‑up. The results highlighted: i) The ability of the ddPCR‑based assay to detect very low copies of methylated molecules; ii) the significant decrease in and methylation levels in the plasma of patients with HNSCC at the first time points of follow‑up with respect to T; iii) a different trend of longitudinally DNA methylation variations in small groups of stratified patients. The absolute and precise quantification of and methylation levels in HNSCC may be useful for studies with translational potential.
Topics: Humans; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; DNA Methylation; Genes, Homeobox; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Homeodomain Proteins; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Cytoskeletal Proteins; Cell-Free Nucleic Acids; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Biomarkers, Tumor
PubMed: 38299234
DOI: 10.3892/or.2024.8711 -
Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Oct 2023Superficial pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) has received increasing attention as a therapeutic target in the GI field with recent innovations in endoscopic...
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Superficial pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) has received increasing attention as a therapeutic target in the GI field with recent innovations in endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). However, there are currently no defined criteria for the application of ESD to superficial PSCC. One of the problems encountered during follow-up after ESD is cervical lymph node metastasis (LNM). Identifying the clinicopathologic predictors of cervical LNM can help to provide a basis for the refinement of therapeutic strategies for superficial PSCC.
METHODS
The risk of cervical LNM was evaluated in 331 patients with superficial PSCC who underwent initial ESD between 2008 and 2021. Since tumor size, rather than depth, is the dominant factor in the current TNM classification for PSCC, the correlation between tumor size and thickness was investigated.
RESULTS
The median follow-up period was 4.8 years. The cumulative 5-year cervical LNM rate was 6.1%. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis identified tumor thickness ≥1000 μm and lymphatic invasion as significant independent predictors. Among 204 cases with subepithelial invasion, both factors were also revealed to be significant independent predictors, suggesting that tumor thickness was superior to tumor size in predicting cervical LNM. Despite the positive correlation between tumor thickness and size, there was noticeable variability in the values (R = .20), and the current staging was inadequate to identify groups at high risk for cervical LNM.
CONCLUSIONS
Tumor thickness and lymphatic invasion are validated as significant independent predictors for cervical LNM and can be useful indicators to optimize the therapeutic strategies for superficial PSCC.
Topics: Humans; Lymphatic Metastasis; Endoscopic Mucosal Resection; Lymph Nodes; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; Head and Neck Neoplasms
PubMed: 37150414
DOI: 10.1016/j.gie.2023.04.2095 -
Otolaryngologia Polska = the Polish... Sep 2023<br><b>Introduction:</b> Malignant minor salivary gland tumors are rare, accounting for fewer than 1% of all laryngeal cancers.</br>...
<br><b>Introduction:</b> Malignant minor salivary gland tumors are rare, accounting for fewer than 1% of all laryngeal cancers.</br> <br><b>Aim:</b> This study aims to share our experiences regarding clinical, radiological, pathological profiles and their management.</br> <br><b>Materials and methods:</b> The current study reviews 11 cases of malignant minor salivary gland tumors of the larynx treated surgically at our Institute between 2005 and 2019.</br> <br><b>Results:</b> The mean age of the patients was 54 years (range 38-75 years) with six females and five males in the series (1.2:1). Subglottis and trachea were the sites of origin in 54% of the cases, and hoarseness with dyspnea were the most common presenting symptoms. There were nine Adenoid cystic and two Mucoepidermoid carcinoma patients. Surgery was the primary mode of treatment.</br> <br><b>Conclusions:</b> Most of the larynx's malignant minor salivary gland tumors are submucosal in origin. The outcome and prognosis vary considerably based on the tumor's histology, grade, and stage.</br>.
Topics: Female; Male; Humans; Adult; Middle Aged; Aged; Adenoids; Hoarseness; Laryngeal Neoplasms; Larynx; Salivary Gland Neoplasms
PubMed: 38032326
DOI: 10.5604/01.3001.0053.4040 -
PloS One 2023Squamous papillomas (SPs) of the head and neck are usually benign lesions associated with human papilloma virus (HPV) infection. However, the reported HPV detection...
Squamous papillomas (SPs) of the head and neck are usually benign lesions associated with human papilloma virus (HPV) infection. However, the reported HPV detection rates vary widely, especially with respect to anatomical distribution. The etiology of SPs in the head and neck remains unclear; analyzing HPV genotypes of SPs based on anatomical sites could assist in clarifying the pathogenesis of SPs in the head and neck. Therefore, the aim of this study was to review the prevalence, subtypes, and anatomical distribution of HPV in head and neck SPs at a hospital in China; we also investigated whether p16, a marker of HPV infection in oropharyngeal carcinoma, could serve as a surrogate marker for HPV in head and neck SPs. The presence of HPV DNA of 23 types (5 low-risk HPV and 18 high-risk HPV types) was detected via real-time PCR. p16 immunohistochemistry was performed using SP sections. Age, sex, anatomical location, and HPV subtype were recorded for each case. In total, 105 SPs were identified, including 47 in the larynx, 42 in the pharynx, 6 in the external auditory canal (EAC), 5 in the oral cavity, and 5 in the nasal cavity. HPV was found in 57 (54.3%) cases, with the highest positivity rate in the larynx (46/47; 97.9%). Only 5/42 (11.9%) patients showed HPV positivity in the pharynx. HPV incidence was highly dependent on the anatomical site. SPs in the larynx and EAC were more likely to carry HPV than those in other anatomical sites. High-risk HPV infections were rarely associated with SPs in the head and neck region. The sensitivity and specificity of p16 immunohistochemistry for HPV infection were 88% and 96%, respectively. There may be an association between p16 and HPV infection in head and neck SPs, but further studies are needed to validate this assertion.
Topics: Humans; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Papillomavirus Infections; Papilloma; Mouth; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Genotype; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16; Papillomaviridae; DNA, Viral
PubMed: 37566623
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290004 -
Factors Influencing Postoperative Prognosis in Patients with Hypopharyngeal and Laryngeal Carcinoma.Ear, Nose, & Throat Journal Dec 2023Despite the increasingly modern surgical techniques in the oncology field, the factors that influence postoperative prognosis in patients with hypopharyngeal and...
OBJECTIVES
Despite the increasingly modern surgical techniques in the oncology field, the factors that influence postoperative prognosis in patients with hypopharyngeal and laryngeal carcinoma (HLC) remain unclear. The study aimed to evaluate the factors influencing the prognosis of HLC patients with pathological diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma, and the findings are intended to direct follow-up management strategies.
METHODS
A retrospective cohort study was performed. The study population included 407 postoperative patients with HLC from 2011 to 2015. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to examine the prognostic factors identified.
RESULTS
Based on univariate analysis results, smoking and alcohol history, tumor differentiation, preoperative radiotherapy, primary tumor sites, flap reconstruction, lymph node invasion (LNI), and preoperative albumin levels (PAL) significantly affects the prognosis of HLC patients ( < .05). Meanwhile, multivariate analysis revealed that smoking pack-year (OR = 1.002, 95% CI = 1.001 ∼ 1.003), primary tumor sites (OR = 6.241, 95% CI = 1.715 ∼ 18.433), LNI (OR = 2.869, 95% CI = 1.095 ∼ 8.743), and PAL (OR = .020, 95% CI .004 ∼ 0.104) were associated with complications. Tumor differentiation (OR = 0.650, 95% CI = .383 ∼ 0.855), primary tumor sites (OR = 12.392, 95% CI = 3.290 ∼ 26.679), LNI (OR = 16.323, 95% CI = 2.726 ∼ 47.729), preoperative radiotherapy (OR = 9.300, 95% CI = 3.182 ∼ 27.181), and PAL (OR = .321, 95% CI .141 ∼ .732) were associated with overall survival rates.
CONCLUSION
Smoking and alcohol history, tumor differentiation, LNI, primary tumor sites, flap reconstruction, PAL, and preoperative radiotherapy are crucial factors that influence the postoperative prognosis of patients with HLC. In addition, a monogram of five factors was established to predict the survival rates of HLC patients.
Topics: Humans; Retrospective Studies; Prognosis; Hypopharynx; Laryngeal Neoplasms; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms
PubMed: 36427261
DOI: 10.1177/01455613221142120 -
International Journal of Clinical... Jun 2024Salivary gland-type cancers (SGTCs) are histologically heterogeneous and can affect organs other than the salivary glands. Some tumors outside the salivary glands are...
BACKGROUND
Salivary gland-type cancers (SGTCs) are histologically heterogeneous and can affect organs other than the salivary glands. Some tumors outside the salivary glands are diagnosed on their unique histological characteristics. Comprehensive cross-organ studies on SGTCs are limited.
METHODS
We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients with salivary duct carcinoma (SDC), adenoid cystic carcinoma (AdCC), mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC), epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma (EMC), acinic cell carcinoma (AcCC), and polymorphous adenocarcinoma (PAC) who visited our institution between 2009 and 2019. The primary tumor sites were classified into four categories; major salivary glands, head/neck (H/N) excluding (exc) major salivary glands (MSG) regions, broncho-pulmonary regions, and "others". H/N exc MSG was further divided into three subcategories, nasal/paranasal sinus, oral and pharynx/larynx.
RESULTS
We identified 173 patients with SGTCs, with SDC, AdCC, MEC, EMC, AcCC, and PAC accounting for 20%, 42%, 27%, 3%, 8%, and 1% of the cases, respectively. The most frequent primary site was the major salivary glands (64%), followed by H/N exc MSG regions (27%), broncho-pulmonary regions, and "others", thus non-salivary gland origins accounted for 9% of all cases. Patients with SDC, MEC, AcCC, or SGTC of the major salivary glands and broncho-pulmonary regions were more frequently treated by surgery. The overall survival time of the patients with MEC was significantly better than that of patients with SDC or EMC.
CONCLUSIONS
This cross-organ study highlights the clinical significance of SGTCs, underscoring the need for developing novel therapies for this rare disease entity.
Topics: Humans; Salivary Gland Neoplasms; Female; Male; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Aged; Adult; Carcinoma, Mucoepidermoid; Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic; Aged, 80 and over; Carcinoma, Acinar Cell; Young Adult; Adolescent; Adenocarcinoma; Salivary Glands
PubMed: 38492066
DOI: 10.1007/s10147-024-02505-3 -
Heliyon Nov 2023Carcinogenesis is characterized by an unlimited growth of cells exacerbated by Cox-2 overexpression. Cox-2 inhibitors have been proven effective in preventing and...
BACKGROUNDS AND AIMS
Carcinogenesis is characterized by an unlimited growth of cells exacerbated by Cox-2 overexpression. Cox-2 inhibitors have been proven effective in preventing and treating tumors. In our previous studies, we found that 4-Amino-2-Trifluoromethylphenyl Retinate (ATPR) induces cell apoptosis and inhibits cell proliferation to exhibit anti-cancer properties. The use of ATRA as well as Cox-2 inhibitors in clinical settings can cause adverse reactions. It is unknown what the effects and mechanisms of co-administration of ATPR and Cox-2 inhibitors are.
RESULTS
A combination of ATPR and Cox-2 inhibitors, Celecoxib, inhibited pharyngeal cancer cell proliferation in vitro and induced apoptosis. The cell cycle was arrested at G0/G1 by activating P53 and CDNA1. By activating MAPK/JNK pathways, ATPR and Celecoxib led to intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis in pharyngeal cancer cells. ATPR/Celecoxib combined treatment suppressed tumor growth in the pharyngeal cancer cell-derived xenograft mouse model by increasing the number of apoptotic cells. The expression of the RARA and PTGS2 genes was significantly increased in tumor tissue compared to non-tumor tissue in the clinical analysis of the head and neck squamous cell carcinoma dataset. An association was found between this and the level of intrinsic apoptotic signals. Furthermore, a survival analysis conducted over a period of five years indicated that higher levels of RARA expression were associated with a better clinical outcome.
CONCLUSION
ATPR and celecoxib inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells as well as induce apoptosis. Co-administration of ATPR and Cox-2 inhibitors has the potential to be a novel treatment plan for cancer.
PubMed: 38074870
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21664 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2024Previous observational epidemiological studies reported an association between cathepsins and cancer, however, a causal relationship is uncertain. This study evaluated...
BACKGROUND
Previous observational epidemiological studies reported an association between cathepsins and cancer, however, a causal relationship is uncertain. This study evaluated the causal relationship between cathepsins and cancer using Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.
METHODS
We used publicly available genome-wide association study (GWAS) data for bidirectional MR analysis. Inverse variance weighting (IVW) was used as the primary MR method of MR analysis.
RESULTS
After correction for the False Discovery Rate (FDR), two cathepsins were found to be significantly associated with cancer risk: cathepsin H (CTSH) levels increased the risk of lung cancer (OR = 1.070, 95% CI = 1.027-1.114, = 0.001, = 0.009), and CTSH levels decreased the risk of basal cell carcinoma (OR = 0.947, 95% CI = 0.919-0.975, = 0.0002, P = 0.002). In addition, there was no statistically significant effect of the 20 cancers on the nine cathepsins. Some unadjusted low P-value phenotypes are worth mentioning, including a positive correlation between cathepsin O (CTSO) and breast cancer (OR = 1.012, 95% CI = 1.001-1.025, = 0.041), cathepsin S (CTSS) and pharyngeal cancer (OR = 1.017, 95% CI = 1.001-1.034, = 0.043), and CTSS and endometrial cancer (OR = 1.055, 95% CI = 1.012-1.101, = 0.012); and there was a negative correlation between cathepsin Z and ovarian cancer (CTSZ) (OR = 0.970, 95% CI = 0.949-0.991, = 0.006), CTSS and prostate cancer (OR = 0.947, 95% CI = 0.902-0.944, = 0.028), and cathepsin E (CTSE) and pancreatic cancer (OR = 0.963, 95% CI = 0.938-0.990, = 0.006).
CONCLUSION
Our MR analyses showed a causal relationship between cathepsins and cancers and may help provide new insights for further mechanistic and clinical studies of cathepsin-mediated cancer.
Topics: Humans; Mendelian Randomization Analysis; Cathepsins; Neoplasms; Genome-Wide Association Study; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Female; Risk Factors
PubMed: 38883596
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1428433 -
Cancer Reports (Hoboken, N.J.) Nov 2023Head and neck cancer (HNSCC) is a heterogeneous group of cancers, affecting multiple regions such as oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, and nasal region, each showing a... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Head and neck cancer (HNSCC) is a heterogeneous group of cancers, affecting multiple regions such as oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, and nasal region, each showing a distinct molecular profile. HNSCC accounts for more than 6 million cases worldwide, soaring mainly in the developing countries.
RECENT FINDINGS
The aetiology of HNSCC is complex and multifactorial, involving both genetic and environmental factors. The critical role of microbiome, which includes bacteria, viruses, and fungi, is under spotlight due to the recent reports on their contribution in the development and progression of HNSCC. This review focuses on the effect of opportunistic pathogens on the host genome and epigenome, which contributes to the disease progression. Drawing parallels from the host-pathogen interactions observed in other tumour types arising from the epithelial tissue such as colorectal cancer, the review also calls attention to the potential explorations of the role of pathogens in HNSCC biology and discusses the clinical implications of microbiome research in detection and treatment of HNSCC.
CONCLUSION
Our understanding of the genomic effects of the microbes on the disease progression and the mechanistic insights of the host-pathogen interaction will pave way to novel treatment and preventive approaches in HNSCC.
Topics: Humans; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; Epigenome; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Disease Progression
PubMed: 37322598
DOI: 10.1002/cnr2.1846