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Results from publications evaluating discrepancies between clinical staging data in relation to pathological findings demonstrate that a significant number of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients are not correctly staged. The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze potential discrepancies of radiological assessment versus pathological data of regional lymph node involvement and to compare the results with data published in the literature.

The aim of the present study is to examine the cytokine expression and corresponding receptor pattern of human oral mucosa-derived keratinocytes. The mRNA expression of these cytokines from isolated and purified cells was measured by a RT-PCR method, the protein production by ELISA, and the receptor expression was determined by FACS analysis. In freshly isolated oral keratinocytes, IL-1alpha, IL-1alpha receptor antagonist, IL-6, IL-8, TGF-beta, TNF-alpha, and bFGF were detectable at the protein and mRNA level, whereas PDGF and TGF-alpha were found only at the mRNA level. There were no detectable signals for IL-2 and IL-4. The cytokine production at the protein level was independent from stimulation with PMA (phorbol myristate acetate). Unstimulated commercially available and primary isolated epidermal keratinocytes showed similar cytokine pattern except a lack of IL-6. FACS analysis revealed receptor expression on oral keratinocytes for IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, EGF, IFN-gamma, and PDGF. In addition, receptor mRNA for IL-8, TNF-alpha, FGF-2 and KGF could be detected, but not for IL-10. Our results show that human oral keratinocytes produce a cytokine panel comparable to epidermal keratinocytes. In contrast to the epidermis, IL-6 was produced by human oral keratinocytes constitutively without prior stimulation, which may indicate their active regulation role in the maintenance of the oral mucosa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background A disintegrin and metalloproteinase (ADAMs) have been associated with multiple malignancies. ADAMs are involved in cell fusion, cell migration, membrane protein shedding and proteolysis. ADAM8 has been found to be overexpressed in squamous cell carcinomas of the lung. A new study showed that ADAM8 is significantly overexpressed in metastasis of squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (HNSCC). Methods We determined ADAM8 levels in the serum of 79 HNSCC patients at the time of diagnosis, in 35 patients 3 months after treatment and in 10 patients 1 year after therapy and compared the results to the sera of 31 healthy volunteers. We also constructed tissue microarrays to detect ADAM8 immunohistochemically in 100 patients. The results were correlated with the survival data of the patients to determine the diagnostic and prognostic value. Results The data demonstrated that patients with high ADAM8 expression in the tumor have worse survival rates. We found that high ADAM8 serum levels correlated with high ADAM8 expression in tumor samples. Soluble ADAM8 levels did not show any prognostic or diagnostic properties. Conclusion In summary ADAM8 expression is a prognostic factor for survival of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Purpose: Despite prognostic superiority of HPV-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), up to 25% of patients will suffer from recurrence within the first 5 years. Therefore, it is of great scientific interest to find relevant biomarkers to identify patients at risk. In this prospective observational study, we aimed to investigate the dynamics of HPV-L1 capsid protein specific antibody (AB) subclasses IgA, IgM, and IgG in HPV-positive OPSCC patients under therapy., Methods: Serum samples from HPV-positive OPSCC patients, identified by positive p16-immunohistochemistry, were collected before and during tumor-specific therapy and 3-6 months during follow-up. They were analyzed for the presence of HPV-L1 AB subclasses IgA, IgM, and IgG using an HPV-L1-specific immuno-assay. Additionally, a PCR-based HPV-DNA detection from the tumor tissue was performed., Results: Altogether, 33 patients with a mean follow-up of 55 months were included. Analysis of a total of 226 serum samples revealed that the most common L1-AB-subclass pattern was characterized by IgG >  > IgA > IgM without significant fluctuation during the course of disease. Patients with excessive IgG levels tended to higher tumor stages and three out of three patients with disease recurrence showed increasing IgG AB titers beforehand. Seven patients showed an IgA dominance at diagnosis, which was associated with a better disease-free survival., Conclusion: Despite limited cases, our prospective pilot study revealed promising trends in HPV L1 AB subclasses and may contribute useful information for future risk stratification and post-treatment monitoring in HPV-positive OPSCC patients., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Purpose: The aim of this prospective longitudinal study was to assess both subjective quality of life using questionnaires and objective examination of nasal function with regard to olfaction, nasal air flow and mucociliary clearance in patients after minimally invasive, turbinate-preserving endoscopic transnasal trans-sphenoidal pituitary surgery., Methods: Patients undergoing endoscopic transnasal pituitary surgery were recruited prospectively and examined during three study visits, preoperatively and 3 and 6 months postoperatively. We examined nasal function using sniffin' sticks test, rhinomanometry, saccharin transit time test, and endoscopic and radiological scores. In addition, the influence on subjective quality of life and mental health was recorded using the Sinonasal-Outcome-Test-20 (SNOT-20) and the Hospital-Anxiety-and-Depression-Scale (HADS)., Results: 20 patients undergoing endoscopic pituitary tumor resections were included. No significant changes in olfaction or mucociliary clearance were noted. Nasal air flow showed a tendency to increase in the postoperative course lacking significance. Both the endoscopy and the radiological scores showed a significant deterioration, especially after 3 months, with a trend towards improvement over time. However, neither the SNOT-20 nor the HADS showed significant changes compared to baseline., Conclusions: Our concept of minimally invasive endoscopic tumor resections on the pituitary gland with preservation of nasal turbinates shows low morbidity for the patient. Despite objectifiable surgery-associated changes in the nose, nasal physiology in terms of smell, airflow and mucociliary clearance can be preserved and the subjective quality of life of our patients remains stable., (© 2023. The Author(s).)