Pathogenetic, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Perspectives in Head and Neck Cancer

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Head and neck cancers constitute the sixth most common malignancy in the world. The overall 5-year survival for head and neck cancers is approximately 50%; this statistic has not changed much in the past few decades. Despite current advances in surgery and other treatment options, the fatality of head and neck cancers has remained mostly unchanged in years. This Special Issue welcomes research articles and review papers focused on pathogenetic, diagnostic, and therapeutic perspectives in head and neck cancer, from basic translational science studies to clinical research. We are pleased to invite you to our Special Issue on “Pathogenetic, Diagnostic, and Therapeutic Perspectives in Head and Neck Cancer”. We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Shun-Fa Yang
Dr. Ming-Hsien Chien
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Biology biology	3.6	5.7	2012	16.4 Days	CHF 2700
Cancers cancers	4.5	8.0	2009	17.4 Days	CHF 2900
Current Oncology curroncol	2.8	3.3	1994	19.8 Days	CHF 2200
Diseases diseases	2.9	0.8	2013	21.4 Days	CHF 1800
Journal of Clinical Medicine jcm	3.0	5.7	2012	16 Days	CHF 2600
Pathogens pathogens	3.3	6.4	2012	15.3 Days	CHF 2200

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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12 pages, 1916 KiB  

Open AccessSystematic Review

The Impact of Pain Education Interventions for Cancer Survivors and Caregivers: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

by Sofía Hernández-Hernández, Alejandro Heredia-Ciuró, Javier Martín-Núñez, Andrés Calvache-Mateo, Alba Navas-Otero, Laura López-López and Marie Carmen Valenza

Cancers 2024, 16(13), 2468; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16132468 - 5 Jul 2024

Viewed by 2011

Abstract

Introduction: Cancer-related pain is a global health-related problem associated with functional impairment, anxiety, depression, and reduced quality of life. The use of educational interventions for patients and their caregivers has been proposed as a promising tool for overcoming pain in cancer. The aim [...] Read more.

Introduction: Cancer-related pain is a global health-related problem associated with functional impairment, anxiety, depression, and reduced quality of life. The use of educational interventions for patients and their caregivers has been proposed as a promising tool for overcoming pain in cancer. The aim of this study was to summarize by means of a standardized methodological systematic revision the actual pain education intervention used in cancer patients and their caregivers and to analyze its effects on pain. Methods: A search was conducted through PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Cinhal from their inception to September 2022. Randomized controlled trials which included pain education interventions were identified. Two reviewers performed independent data extraction and methodologic quality assessments of these studies. Results: A total of seven studies was included in the study. The meta-analysis showed that pain education interventions have a significant effect on the worst pain; however, there was no effect on average pain. Conclusions: Pain education interventions addressed to patients and their caregivers could have positive effects on cancer-related pain. It is recommended that a minimum of three sessions of about one hour’s duration be held once a week. Further research needs to be carried out and analyzed on the effects over the long term. Pain education interventions show positive results in improving pain in cancer patients regardless of etiology or extent of the cancer. Studies with better methodological quality should be carried out to address specific components related to education interventions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Pathogenetic, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Perspectives in Head and Neck Cancer)

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12 pages, 302 KiB  

Open AccessReview

Taste and Smell Alterations (TSAs) in Cancer Patients

by Davide Rosati, Pierluigi Mastino, Martina Romeo, Giulia de Soccio, Daniele Pentangelo, Carla Petrella, Christian Barbato and Antonio Minni

Diseases 2024, 12(6), 130; https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases12060130 - 19 Jun 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1915

Abstract

Recently, smell and taste disorders have seen renewed interest, as these symptoms are frequent complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection, since approximately 60% of patients affected by COVID-19 have shown olfactory and gustatory alterations. Otolaryngology pays attention to taste and smell abnormalities (TSAs), especially when [...] Read more.

Recently, smell and taste disorders have seen renewed interest, as these symptoms are frequent complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection, since approximately 60% of patients affected by COVID-19 have shown olfactory and gustatory alterations. Otolaryngology pays attention to taste and smell abnormalities (TSAs), especially when associated with oncology. TSAs are common symptoms in people affected by cancer, yet they are ignored and underestimated. The clinical outcome of TSAs in cancer evidences the importance of identifying them with chemotherapy or radiotherapy in general, and they are associated with many types of cancer. We recognize the findings of the literature on TSAs in cancer, evaluating how it is important to consider and identify these disorders concerning reduced food enjoyment or inappropriate nutrient intake, and modulating the nutritional status, quality of life, and impact of therapy. This review aims to critically evaluate and recognize the assessment and clinical perspectives of taste and smell disorders in a cancer population. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Pathogenetic, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Perspectives in Head and Neck Cancer)

11 pages, 4081 KiB  

Open AccessCase Report

Surgical Resection and Immediate Reconstruction with a Bilayer Wound Collagen Matrix of a Rare Oral Angiosarcoma: A Case Report

by Enzo Iacomino, Chiara Fratini, Laura Sollima, Alberto Eibenstein, Christian Barbato, Marco de Vincentiis, Antonio Minni and Federica Zoccali

Diseases 2024, 12(6), 117; https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases12060117 - 3 Jun 2024

Viewed by 1447

Abstract

Angiosarcomas are malignant vascular tumors that commonly occur on the skin of the head and neck, breast, or scalp. Oral angiosarcoma is a rare tumor (0.0077% of all cancers in Europe), and regarding this atypical localization, no formal treatment trials have been conducted [...] Read more.

Angiosarcomas are malignant vascular tumors that commonly occur on the skin of the head and neck, breast, or scalp. Oral angiosarcoma is a rare tumor (0.0077% of all cancers in Europe), and regarding this atypical localization, no formal treatment trials have been conducted yet. We present a case of a 58-year-old female patient with a diagnosis of oral angiosarcoma. After tumor excision was performed by transoral surgical approach, immediate reconstruction of the intraoral surgical defects was made using Integra^® bilayer wound collagen matrix. A skin regeneration technique has previously been reported to provide good healing for defects of buccal resection, preventing postoperative cicatricial fibrosis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Pathogenetic, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Perspectives in Head and Neck Cancer)

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10 pages, 1170 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Pretreatment Masseter Muscle Volume Predicts Survival in Locally Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Patients Treated with Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy

by Umur Anil Pehlivan, Efsun Somay, Busra Yilmaz, Ali Ayberk Besen, Huseyin Mertsoylu, Ugur Selek and Erkan Topkan

J. Clin. Med. 2023, 12(21), 6863; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12216863 - 30 Oct 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1688

Abstract

Background and purpose: Muscle loss is a significant indicator of cancer cachexia and is associated with a poor prognosis in cancer patients. Given the absence of comparable studies, the current retrospective study sought to examine the correlation between the total masseter muscle volume [...] Read more.

Background and purpose: Muscle loss is a significant indicator of cancer cachexia and is associated with a poor prognosis in cancer patients. Given the absence of comparable studies, the current retrospective study sought to examine the correlation between the total masseter muscle volume (TMMV) before treatment and the survival outcomes in locally advanced nasopharyngeal cancer (LA-NPC) patients who received definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). Methods: A three-dimensional segmentation model was used to determine the TMMV for each patient by analyzing pre-CCRT magnetic resonance imaging. The optimal TMMV cutoff values were searched using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses. The primary and secondary endpoints were the relationship between the pre-CCRT TMMV measures and overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), respectively. Results: Ninety-seven patients were included in this study. ROC curve analyses revealed 38.0 cc as the optimal TMMV cutoff: ≤38.00 cc (n = 42) and >38.0 cc (n = 55). Comparisons between the two groups showed that the TMMV>38.0 cc group had significantly longer PFS [Not reached (NR) vs. 28; p < 0.01] and OS (NR vs. 71; p < 0.01) times, respectively. The results of the multivariate analysis demonstrated that the T-stage, N-stage, number of concurrent chemotherapy cycles, and TMMV were independent associates of PFS (p < 0.05 for each) and OS (p < 0.05 for each) outcomes, respectively. Conclusion: The findings of the current retrospective research suggest that pretreatment TMMV is a promising indicator for predicting survival outcomes in LA-NPC patients receiving definitive CCRT. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Pathogenetic, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Perspectives in Head and Neck Cancer)

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13 pages, 1373 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Prediction of Maxillary Bone Invasion in Hard Palate/Upper Alveolus Cancer: A Multi-Center Retrospective Study

by Nayeon Choi, Jeon Yeob Jang, Min-Ji Kim, Sung Seok Ryu, Young Ho Jung and Han-Sin Jeong

Cancers 2023, 15(19), 4699; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers15194699 - 24 Sep 2023

Viewed by 2370

Abstract

Background: maxillary bone invasion (MBI) is not uncommon in hard palate or upper alveolus (HP/UA) cancer; however, there have been relatively few reports about the MBI of HP/UA cancer. Patients and Methods: this was a multi-center retrospective study, enrolling 144 cases of HP/UA [...] Read more.

Background: maxillary bone invasion (MBI) is not uncommon in hard palate or upper alveolus (HP/UA) cancer; however, there have been relatively few reports about the MBI of HP/UA cancer. Patients and Methods: this was a multi-center retrospective study, enrolling 144 cases of HP/UA cancer. MBI was defined by surgical pathology or radiology follow-up. The multiple prediction models for MBI were developed in total cases and in cases having primary bone resection, using clinical and radiological variables. Results: computerized tomography (CT) alone predicted MBI, with an area under receiver operating curve (AUC) of 0.779 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.712–0.847). The AUC was increased in a model that combined tumor dimensions and clinical factors (male sex and nodal metastasis) (0.854 (95%CI = 0.790–0.918)). In patients who underwent ¹⁸fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/CT (PET/CT), the discrimination performance of a model including the maximal standardized uptake value (SUVmax) had an AUC of 0.911 (95%CI = 0.847–0.975). The scoring system using CT finding, tumor dimension, and clinical factors, with/without PET/CT SUVmax clearly distinguished low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups for MBI. Conclusion: using information from CT, tumor dimension, clinical factors, and the SUVmax value, the MBI of HP/UA cancer can be predicted with a relatively high discrimination performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Pathogenetic, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Perspectives in Head and Neck Cancer)

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14 pages, 6151 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Jaw Bone Invasion of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Is Associated with Osteoclast Count and Expression of Its Regulating Proteins in Patients and Organoids

by Willem W. B. de Kort, Wisse E. Haakma, Robert J. J. van Es, Debby Gawlitta, Else Driehuis, Merel Gansevoort and Stefan M. Willems

J. Clin. Med. 2023, 12(18), 6035; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12186035 - 18 Sep 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2649

Abstract

Aims: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) frequently invades the jaw. The exact mechanism of bone invasion remains unclear. This study investigates (premature) osteoclasts and the expression of its differentiation regulating proteins RANKL, OPG and RANK in patients with OSCC. Methods: Resection specimens from [...] Read more.

Aims: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) frequently invades the jaw. The exact mechanism of bone invasion remains unclear. This study investigates (premature) osteoclasts and the expression of its differentiation regulating proteins RANKL, OPG and RANK in patients with OSCC. Methods: Resection specimens from OSCC patients were divided into NI group (No Invasion), E group (Erosion) or I group (bone Invasion). Tissue sections were stained with Cathepsin K (osteoclast-counting), RANKL, OPG and RANK. The staining intensity was scored on different regions of the tumor: front, center, back and normal mucosa. Immunohistochemistry and qPCR for RANKL/OPG/RANK were performed on five head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) organoids. Results: The mean number of osteoclasts (I group) and premature osteoclasts (E group) was significantly higher compared to the NI group (p = 0.003, p = 0.036). RANKL expression was significantly higher in the tumor front and tumor center compared to normal mucosa (all groups). In the I group, RANKL and RANK expression was significantly higher in the tumor front compared to the tumor back and there was a trend of higher RANKL expression in the tumor front compared to the E group and NI group. qPCR showed a 20–43 times higher RANKL mRNA expression in three out of five tumor organoids compared to a normal squamous cell organoid line. There was no correlation between protein and mRNA expression in the HNSCC organoids. Conclusions: These findings suggest that OSCCs induce bone invasion by stimulating osteoclast activation by regulating the production of RANKL and RANK proteins. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Pathogenetic, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Perspectives in Head and Neck Cancer)

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11 pages, 3470 KiB  

Open AccessSystematic Review

Oncological and Functional Outcomes for Horizontal Glottectomy: A Systematic Review

by Matteo Fermi, Alfredo Lo Manto, Cecilia Lotto, Giulia Cianci, Francesco Mattioli, Daniele Marchioni, Livio Presutti and Ignacio Javier Fernandez

J. Clin. Med. 2023, 12(6), 2261; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12062261 - 14 Mar 2023

Viewed by 1822

Abstract

Horizontal glottectomy (HG) is a particular type of partial laryngectomy indicated for exclusive glottic tumor with anterior commissure involvement. The purpose of this study is to systematically review the literature about functional and oncological outcome of HG. This systematic review adhered to the [...] Read more.

Horizontal glottectomy (HG) is a particular type of partial laryngectomy indicated for exclusive glottic tumor with anterior commissure involvement. The purpose of this study is to systematically review the literature about functional and oncological outcome of HG. This systematic review adhered to the recommendations of the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis) 2009 guidelines. Articles mentioning patients undergoing HG for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma were included. A total of 14 articles were selected and reviewed from 19 identified. The whole study population consisted of 420 patients who underwent HG. Three hundred and thirty-nine patients out of 359 were staged as T1. The range of post-operative follow-up was 5 months to 10 years. Fifty-five recurrences were experienced, being local, regional and distant in 35, 12 and 8 patients, respectively. Laryngeal preservation rate was 93.6%. Nasogastrict tube was removed on average after 10.1 days. The tracheostomy was maintained for 11.3 days. Mean hospitalization lasted for 11.7 days. According to the results of this systematic review, HG is an oncologically safe surgical option for T1a–T1b glottic tumors with oncological outcomes comparable to other treatment. HG could be a good therapeutical choice whenever poor laryngeal exposure and/or patient’s refusal of radiotherapy are encountered, or when patient’s medical history represents a contraindication for radiation therapy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Pathogenetic, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Perspectives in Head and Neck Cancer)

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23 pages, 1845 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Association of Clinical Aspects and Genetic Variants with the Severity of Cisplatin-Induced Ototoxicity in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Prospective Cohort Study

by Ligia Traldi Macedo, Ericka Francislaine Dias Costa, Bruna Fernandes Carvalho, Gustavo Jacob Lourenço, Luciane Calonga, Arthur Menino Castilho, Carlos Takahiro Chone and Carmen Silvia Passos Lima

Cancers 2023, 15(6), 1759; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers15061759 - 14 Mar 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2576

Abstract

Background: Cisplatin (CDDP) is a major ototoxic chemotherapy agent for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treatment. Clinicopathological features and genotypes encode different stages of CDDP metabolism, as their coexistence may influence the prevalence and severity of hearing loss. Methods: HNSCC patients [...] Read more.

Background: Cisplatin (CDDP) is a major ototoxic chemotherapy agent for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treatment. Clinicopathological features and genotypes encode different stages of CDDP metabolism, as their coexistence may influence the prevalence and severity of hearing loss. Methods: HNSCC patients under CDDP chemoradiation were prospectively provided with baseline and post-treatment audiometry. Clinicopathological features and genetic variants encoding glutathione S-transferases (GSTT1, GSTM1, GSTP1), nucleotide excision repair (XPC, XPD, XPF, ERCC1), mismatch repair (MLH1, MSH2, MSH3, EXO1), and apoptosis (P53, CASP8, CASP9, CASP3, FAS, FASL)-related proteins were analyzed regarding ototoxicity. Results: Eighty-nine patients were included, with a cumulative CDDP dose of 260 mg/m². Moderate/severe ototoxicity occurred in 26 (29%) patients, particularly related to hearing loss at frequencies over 3000 Hertz. Race, body-mass index, and cumulative CDDP were independent risk factors. Patients with specific isolated and combined genotypes of GSTM1, GSTP1 c.313A>G, XPC c.2815A>C, XPD c.934G>A, EXO1 c.1762G>A, MSH3 c.3133A>G, FASL c.-844A>T, and P53 c.215G>C SNVs had up to 32.22 higher odds of presenting moderate/severe ototoxicity. Conclusions: Our data present, for the first time, the association of combined inherited nucleotide variants involved in CDDP efflux, DNA repair, and apoptosis with ototoxicity, which could be potential predictors in future clinical and genomic models. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Pathogenetic, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Perspectives in Head and Neck Cancer)

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14 pages, 5222 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

EF-24, a Curcumin Analog, Inhibits Cancer Cell Invasion in Human Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma through Transcriptional Suppression of Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Gene Expression

by Shih-Chi Su, Chung-Han Hsin, Yen-Ting Lu, Chun-Yi Chuang, Yu-Ting Ho, Fang-Ling Yeh, Shun-Fa Yang and Chiao-Wen Lin

Cancers 2023, 15(5), 1552; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers15051552 - 1 Mar 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2256

Abstract

Cancer metastasis is a main cause of failure in treating subjects with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and is frequently linked to high death rates. EF-24, an analog of curcumin, has exhibited many anti-cancer properties and enhanced bioavailability over curcumin. Nevertheless, the effects of EF-24 [...] Read more.

Cancer metastasis is a main cause of failure in treating subjects with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and is frequently linked to high death rates. EF-24, an analog of curcumin, has exhibited many anti-cancer properties and enhanced bioavailability over curcumin. Nevertheless, the effects of EF-24 on the invasiveness of NPC are poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrated that EF-24 effectively inhibited TPA-induced motility and invasion responses of human NPC cells but elicited very limited cytotoxicity. In addition, the TPA-induced activity and expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), a crucial mediator of cancer dissemination, were found to be reduced in EF-24-treated cells. Our reporter assays revealed that such a reduction in MMP-9 expression by EF-24 was transcriptionally mediated by NF-κB via impeding its nuclear translocation. Further chromatin immunoprecipitation assays displayed that the EF-24 treatment decreased the TPA-induced interaction of NF-κB with the MMP-9 promoter in NPC cells. Moreover, EF-24 inhibited the activation of JNK in TPA-treated NPC cells, and the treatment of EF-24 together with a JNK inhibitor showed a synergistic effect on suppressing TPA-induced invasion responses and MMP-9 activities in NPC cells. Taken together, our data demonstrated that EF-24 restrained the invasiveness of NPC cells through the transcriptional suppression of MMP-9 gene expression, implicating the usefulness of curcumin or its analogs in controlling the spread of NPC. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Pathogenetic, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Perspectives in Head and Neck Cancer)

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