Microbiome unlocks cancer immunotherapeutic potential: state of the art and future.

Immunotherapy has overturned the traditional perception of cancer treatment and brought new vitality to the field of oncology, but it still has unresolved problems such as a low response rate and severe side effects. The microbiome has been found to be involved in tumorigenesis, progression, metastasis and immunity modulation. Especially in immunity, the microbiome plays a key role through delicate mechanisms that regulate the immune response not only from the whole body to the local tumor microenvironment but also from innate to adaptive immunity.

Demographic and Clinicopathologic Characteristics of 3723 Patients with Primary Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Consecutive, Single-Center Study Over 11 Years (2012-2023).

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the demographic and clinicopathologic characteristics of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and explore the risk factors associated with OSCC pathological TNM (pTNM) stage.

Methods: This retrospective study included patients with OSCC from 2012 to 2023. Data analyzed included demographics, clinicopathological characteristics, and treatment.

The Eye of Horus: Enhancing Head and Neck Cancer Care with Computer Vision.

Background: Head and neck cancer (HNC) poses formidable treatment challenges globally due to complex anatomy, image interpretation difficulties, and other obstacles, despite extensive research. Recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), particularly computer vision (CV), have demonstrated substantial potential in improving HNC management, yielding notable progress.

Methods: We conducted a narrative review through massive literature research to explore the applications of CV in HNC and try to discuss its advantages as well as disadvantages through comparison.

ORL@Cu-MOF Boost Cuproptosis and Suppress Fatty Acid Metabolism for Cancer Lymph Node Metastasis Synergistic Therapy.

Lymph node metastasis (LNM) is one of the significant characteristics of poor prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), strongly associated with high mortality rates. Immunotherapy has emerged as a crucial treatment modality for OSCC LNM, yet its limited response rate severely restricts its clinical application. Cuproptosis, a newly discovered immunogenic cell death (ICD), is often hindered by lipid metabolic reprogramming in tumor cells, which also contributes significantly to the lack of response to immunotherapy.

Postoperative complications of neck dissection for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Postoperative complications following neck dissection in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients can significantly impact recovery and quality of life. This study aims to identify the types and incidence of these complications, thereby providing higher-level evidence to support clinical practice.

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted across four databases: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Academic Search Complete (EBSCO), covering studies published from January 2010 to October 2024.

Neck management in cT1-2N0 oral squamous cell carcinoma: Act or watchful wait?

The controversy over neck management for cT1-2N0 OSCC patients has persisted for two decades. While selective neck dissection (SND) has been deemed effective, only 30% of patients actually exhibit lymph node metastasis (LNM). SND-related complications, such as shoulder dysfunction and lymphedema, significantly impact patient quality of life, suggesting that 70% of patients may not benefit from SND.

Extracellular Vesicles: Hermes between cancers and lymph nodes.

Cancer is one of the main causes of death and a major obstacle to increasing life expectancy in all countries of the world. Lymph node metastasis (LNM) of in cancer patients indicates poor prognosis and it is an important indication to determine the therapeutic regime. Therefore, more attention should be given to the molecular mechanics of tumor lymphangiogenesis and LNM.

Neoadjuvant Chemoimmunotherapy for Resectable Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy provides a good pathological response in patients with resectable head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Currently, there is no comprehensive systematic review that rigorously evaluates and summarizes the existing studies. In this study, we aimed to synthesize the results on the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy in resectable HNSCC to obtain higher-level evidence.

The ending is not the end: Lymph node metastasis in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Lymph node metastasis is an important biological feature of oral squamous cell carcinoma, bearing poorly prognostic implications. However, the role of lymph node metastasis in cancer progression remains inconclusive. On the one hand, lymph nodes are pivotal sites for initiating specific immunity, which is crucial for maintaining antitumor immune response.

Immunometabolism in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Hope and challenge.

Immunotherapy has improved the survival rate of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), but less than 20 % of them have a durable response to these treatments. Excessive local recurrence and lymph node metastasis ultimately lead to death, making the 5-year survival rate of HNSCC still not optimistic. Cell metabolism has become a key determinant of the viability and function of cancer cells and immune cells.

Complications in Deep Circumflex Iliac Artery-Related Vascularized Free Iliac Flap.

Background: Since its first application in 1978, the vascularized free iliac flap (VFIF) has gradually become a mainstay for tissue defect reconstruction. However, the complications associated with harvesting the bone flap and its corresponding reconstruction surgery cannot be overlooked.

Methods: We conducted a narrative review through literature search to identify the types, incidence, influencing factors, measurement methods, and treatment approaches of complications related to DCIA-related VFIF.

Hidden messages in fluids: A review of clinical and fundamental perspectives on post-lymph node dissection drains.

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in liquid biopsy due to its non-invasive diagnostic value. Postoperative drainage fluid (PDF) is the fluid exudate from the wound site following lymph node dissection. PDF is regarded as a medical waste with no specific clinical significance.

Lymph node metastasis in cancer: Clearing the clouds to see the dawn.

Lymph node metastasis (LNM) is often regarded as an indicator of poor prognosis in various cancers. Despite over three centuries of exploration since its discovery, the molecular mechanisms underlying LNM remain inconclusive. This review summarizes the molecular mechanisms of LNM, using the "PUMP+" principle for clarification.

Lymph nodes in oral squamous cell carcinoma: a comprehensive anatomical perspective.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) often exhibits a propensity for metastasis to lymph nodes (LNs), significantly influencing prognosis. Neck dissection (ND) is an important part in the treatment of OSCC. Variations in the preference for and pathways of lymph node metastasis (LNM) in different regions of the oral cavity have been observed.

Lymph node metastasis diagnosis of postoperative OSCC patients by analyzing extracellular vesicles in drainage fluid based on microfluidic isolation.

Lymph node metastasis (LNM) is a typical marker in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) indicating poor prognosis. Pathological examination by artificial image acquisition and analysis, as the main diagnostic method for LNM, often takes a week or longer which may cause great anxiety of the patient and also retard timely treatment. However, there are few efficient fast LNM diagnosis methods in clinical applications currently.

Cell Membrane-Coated Nanoparticles for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Diseases.

Dental, oral, and craniofacial diseases can substantially impact the quality of human life, thereby posing a serious public health concern. Although conventional therapies such as surgery have solved these problems largely, the prognosis of patients is not always satisfactory. Cell membrane-coated nanoparticles (CMCNPs) carry nanodrugs with the help of natural cell membranes, therefore utilizing their remarkable ability to interface and interact with their surrounding environment.

Less is more: Exploring neoadjuvant immunotherapy as a de-escalation strategy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma treatment.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) constitutes a significant global cancer burden, given its high prevalence and associated mortality. Despite substantial progress in survival rates due to the enhanced multidisciplinary approach to treatment, these methods often lead to severe tissue damage, compromised function, and potential toxicity. Thus, there is an imperative need for novel, effective, and minimally damaging treatment modalities.

Enhancing cancer therapy: The role of drug delivery systems in STAT3 inhibitor efficacy and safety.

The signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), a member of the STAT family, resides in the nucleus to regulate genes essential for vital cellular functions, including survival, proliferation, self-renewal, angiogenesis, and immune response. However, continuous STAT3 activation in tumor cells promotes their initiation, progression, and metastasis, rendering STAT3 pathway inhibitors a promising avenue for cancer therapy. Nonetheless, these inhibitors frequently encounter challenges such as cytotoxicity and suboptimal biocompatibility in clinical trials.

Seizing the fate of lymph nodes in immunotherapy: To preserve or not?

Lymph node dissection has been a long-standing diagnostic and therapeutic strategy for metastatic cancers. However, questions over myriad related complications and survival outcomes are continuously debated. Immunotherapy, particularly neoadjuvant immunotherapy, has revolutionized the conventional paradigm of cancer treatment, yet has benefited only a fraction of patients.

Nanoparticles Targeting Lymph Nodes for Cancer Immunotherapy: Strategies and Influencing Factors.

Immunotherapy has emerged as a potent strategy in cancer treatment, with many approved drugs and modalities in the development stages. Despite its promise, immunotherapy is not without its limitations, including side effects and suboptimal efficacy. Using nanoparticles (NPs) as delivery vehicles to target immunotherapy to lymph nodes (LNs) can improve the efficacy of immunotherapy drugs and reduce side effects in patients.