Immunotherapy in recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: PD-L1 and beyond.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a prominent global health concern because of its high incidence, aggressive clinical behavior, and scarce therapeutic options. The management of these neoplasms in the recurrent/metastatic setting has been revolutionized following the results of key clinical trials, leading to the advent of immunotherapeutic agents targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis. Despite the exciting results obtained with the new drugs, immunotherapy is helpful only in a sizable minority of patients, and there is a pressing need to identify reliable predictive biomarkers for patient selection.

The Influence of Bolus of Methylprednisolone on Postorthognathic Surgery Symptoms: A Controlled Clinical Trial.

Objective: Despite improvements in maxillary and mandibular osteotomy, complications still result in around 20%. Post and intraoperative standard therapies, based on the use of betamethasone and tranexamic acid, could help to minimize the onset of side effects. The aim of the study was to compare the role of a supplementary bolus of methylprednisolone rather than the standard therapy in the onset of postoperative symptoms.

Anti-PD-1 and Anti-PD-L1 in Head and Neck Cancer: A Network Meta-Analysis.

Objective: The monoclonal antibodies anti-programmed death protein-1 (anti-PD-1) nivolumab and pembrolizumab are the first immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) approved for treatment of recurrent/metastatic head and neck carcinoma R/M HNSCC in first line and in platinum refractory disease. This network meta-analysis aims to investigate the efficacy of anti-PD-1- anti-PD-L1-based therapy in R/M HNSCC cancer patients through a systematic review of the literature to provide support for evidence-based treatment decisions. In particular, the effectiveness of ICIs for R/M HNSCC is analyzed according to the different mechanisms of action of the check-points inhibitory drugs in different subgroups of patients.

The role of opioids in cancer response to immunotherapy.

Background: The response to immunotherapy can be impaired by several factors including external intervention such as drug interactions with immune system. We aimed to examine the immunomodulatory action of opioids, since immune cells express opioid receptors able to negatively influence their activities.

Methods: This observational, multicenter, retrospective study, recruited patients with different metastatic solid tumors, who have received immunotherapy between September 2014 and September 2019.

Tryptophan Catabolism as Immune Mechanism of Primary Resistance to Anti-PD-1.

Clinical trials showed that only a subset of patients benefits from immunotherapy, suggesting the need to identify new predictive biomarker of resistance. Indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) has been proposed as a mechanism of resistance to anti-PD-1 treatment, and serum kynurenine/tryptophan (kyn/trp) ratio represents a possible marker of IDO activity. Metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), renal cell carcinoma (RCC), and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treated with nivolumab as second-line treatment were included in this prospective study.

The Agnostic Role of Site of Metastasis in Predicting Outcomes in Cancer Patients Treated with Immunotherapy.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized treatment and outcome of melanoma and many other solid malignancies including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Unfortunately, only a minority of patients have a long-term benefit, while the remaining demonstrate primary or acquired resistance. Recently, it has been demonstrated that the prevalence of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) varies based on the anatomical site of metastases.

Microsurgical SCIA/SIEA flap for facial contour correction in patient with hemifacial microsomia.

Aim: We propose our experience in soft tissue reconstruction in Hemifacial microsomia using a free fascioadiposal flap.

Material Of Study: Hemifacial microsomia (HFM) is a congenital disorder characterized by craniofacial malformation of one or both sides of the lower face. A 18-year-old female presented with hemifacial microsomia involving the left side.