Featured
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News & Views |
Nasopharyngeal cancer screening with an anti-BNLF2b antibody: a new arrow in the quiver?
Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)-based biomarkers are used for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) screening in endemic regions. A recent prospective study describes the use of a new serological biomarker, antibodies targeting the EBV protein BNLF2b, for NPC screening in >20,000 participants. This biomarker yielded both higher sensitivity and specificity for NPC detection in the screening cohort compared with the conventionally used antibodies. Herein, we highlight the key findings of this study and discuss the implications of these results.
- W. K. Jacky Lam
- & Anthony T. C. Chan
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Research Highlight |
Recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma: hyperfractionation of IMRT improves outcomes
- David Killock
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Research Highlight |
Docetaxel-based CRT improves survival in cisplatin-ineligible patients
- David Killock
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Correspondence |
HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer — discussion points
- Peter Goon
- & Holger Sudhoff
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Correspondence |
Reply to ‘HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer — discussion points’
- Matt Lechner
- , Jacklyn Liu
- & Tim R. Fenton
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Review Article |
HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer: epidemiology, molecular biology and clinical management
The incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is increasing rapidly in most developed countries. In this Review, the authors provide an overview of the epidemiology, molecular biology and treatment of HPV-positive OPSCC, including discussions of the role of treatment de-escalation and emerging novel therapies.
- Matt Lechner
- , Jacklyn Liu
- & Tim R. Fenton
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Review Article |
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma: an evolving paradigm
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is an Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)-associated malignancy endemic to southern China, southeast Asia and north Africa. The authors of this Review present a comprehensive overview of advances from the past three decades on the pathogenic role of EBV, and the genomic, epigenomic and immune landscape of NPC, which have led to the development of new biomarkers, therapeutic targets and improved treatment approaches for patients with NPC.
- Kenneth C. W. Wong
- , Edwin P. Hui
- & Anthony T. C. Chan
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News & Views |
Risk-based oral cancer screening — lessons to be learnt
The Kerala Oral Cancer Screening Trial did not demonstrate an overall cancer-related mortality benefit. Herein, we discuss the important lessons learnt from a recent reanalysis of data from this trial in an attempt to demonstrate the advantages of using a novel risk-based approach to cancer screening.
- Anil K. D’Cruz
- & Richa Vaish
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Comment |
Cancer and COVID-19 — potentially deleterious effects of delaying radiotherapy
Radiotherapy can be safely delivered during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, often through use of hypofractionated regimens, which minimize the number of visits to treatment centres while also avoiding potentially detrimental delays in the delivery of cancer care.
- Himanshu Nagar
- & Silvia C. Formenti
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Review Article |
The changing therapeutic landscape of head and neck cancer
The authors of this Review discuss treatments currently available for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (focusing in those of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx and larynx). Advances in surgical and non-surgical approaches (mainly combinations of radiotherapy and chemotherapy) are discussed, including the first immunotherapeutic agents approved for these malignancies.
- John D. Cramer
- , Barbara Burtness
- & Robert L. Ferris
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News & Views |
The NKG2A immune checkpoint — a new direction in cancer immunotherapy
Inhibition of the NKG2A immune checkpoint restores natural killer cell and T cell effector function in preclinical cancer models. In addition, NKG2A blockade in combination with other therapeutic antibodies is showing encouraging responses in a subset of patients with metastatic colorectal or head and neck cancer. However, established biomarkers of response are lacking, and larger trials are needed to enable firm conclusions to be drawn about whether NKG2A inhibition complements existing immunotherapies.
- Benjamin C. Creelan
- & Scott J. Antonia
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In Brief |
Postoperative chemoradiotherapy versus radiotherapy for high-risk cutaneous disease
- David Killock
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Year in Review |
A watershed year for improvements in treatment?
In the past year, clinical trials have provided important information on strategies to decrease treatment-associated toxicities in patients with head and neck cancer. In addition, the FDA approved the first immunotherapeutic agents for patients with recurrent and/or metastatic disease, based on the observation of durable responses to pembrolizumab in a phase Ib trial, and demonstration of improved survival and quality of life with the use of nivolumab versus chemotherapy in a phase III trial.
- Alain P. Algazi
- & Jennifer R. Grandis
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Review Article |
Emerging biomarkers in head and neck cancer in the era of genomics
The molecular characteristics and clinical outcomes of head and neck cancer vary widely. In this Review, the authors focus on established and emerging biomarkers that are most relevant to nasopharyngeal carcinoma and head and neck squamous-cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Applications and limitations of currently established biomarkers are discussed, and ongoing efforts to shift from prognostic to predictive biomarker development with the goal of delivering individualized cancer therapy is highlighted.
- Hyunseok Kang
- , Ana Kiess
- & Christine H. Chung
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Review Article |
Sinonasal carcinoma: clinical, pathological, genetic and therapeutic advances
The sinonasal cavities are affected by a range of tumour types, the most common of which are sinonasal squamous-cell carcinoma (SNSCC) and intestinal-type adenocarcinoma (ITAC). Compared with the main types of head and neck cancer, these sinonasal cancers have distinct epidemiological, clinical, aetiological, pathological and genetic characteristics, and require specialized treatment, bearing in mind their important anatomical location. All these aspects of ITAC and SNSCC are reviewed in this article.
- José Luis Llorente
- , Fernando López
- & Mario A. Hermsen
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In Brief |
Alterations revealed in head and neck cancer
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In Brief |
Good old acupuncture
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Review Article |
Organ-sparing radiation therapy for head and neck cancer
Radiation therapy techniques have made great strides over the past decade, both in terms of efficacy and in the avoidance of the associated toxic effects. This Review highlights the particular areas of concern for patients with head and neck cancer and outlines how to avoid toxic effects, while maintaining the optimal treatment efficacy.
- XiaoShen Wang
- , ChaoSu Hu
- & Avraham Eisbruch
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Research Highlight |
IMRT reduces incidence of xerostomia in patients with head and neck cancer
- Christoph A. Schmitt
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Year in Review |
Maximizing survival and minimizing toxicity
Outcomes for patients with oropharyngeal cancer are determined by their tumor characteristics and associated demographics. The role of human papilloma virus-related disease for prognosis and outcomes with chemoradiotherapy is being more clearly defined. EGFR inhibitors are used in conjunction with radiotherapy, and the importance of optimizing radiation quality and minimizing toxicity is the focus of ongoing studies.
- Bruce E. Brockstein
- & Everett E. Vokes
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News & Views |
Accelerated radiotherapy for HNSCC in developing countries
The IAEA-ACC study compared accelerated radiotherapy with standard radiotherapy in a multicenter trial conducted in developing countries. Advantages were most notable in patients with early-stage disease, which may limit the utility of this therapy. In countries where resources are limited, however, this strategy may be a cost-effective approach to improving outcomes in patients with head and neck cancer.
- Bruce Brockstein
- & Everett E. Vokes
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Research Highlight |
Human papillomavirus—a powerful predictor of survival in patients with oropharyngeal cancer
- Lisa Richards
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Research Highlight |
Staging and prognostic value of p16 expression in oropharyngeal cancer
- Lisa Richards
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News & Views |
Chemoradiation in head-and-neck cancer—are we any closer?
A recent study analyzed the timing of non-platinum chemotherapy in combination with radiotherapy in patients with head-and-neck cancer and showed that only those who had not undergone surgery benefited from the chemoradiation therapy. However, inconsistencies between some results of this study and those of previous studies, along with the advent of novel, less toxic combinations of radiotherapy, are likely to limit the development of the chemotherapy regimens used in their study.
- Jacques Bernier
- & Lisa Licitra
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News & Views |
Mass spectrometry in HNSCC—a peek at response prediction?
EGFR inhibitors provide benefit in patients with advanced and metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Mass spectrometry profiling has been used to predict outcome in patients with HNSCC after EGFR inhibitor treatment, and may enable prior identification of patients most likely to benefit from these therapies. However, further validation in prospective studies is needed.
- Mei-Kim Ang
- & D. Neil Hayes
Epidemiology of HPV-associated cancers past, present and future: towards prevention and elimination
Oesophageal cancer — not all alike
More gain, less pain