Immune escape mechanisms in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and implication for new immunotherapy approach
Purpose of review
The aim of this review is to describe the major steps leading to the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and to summarize some of the new immunotherapies that interfere with these mechanisms.
Recent findings
Immunotherapy has improved the outcome of relapsed/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, most patients still do not respond to treatment and median overall survival remains short with a modest rate of long-term survivors. There is a growing awareness that tumor immune-escape is a complex process that involves many redundant mechanisms other than immune check-poin...
Source: Current Opinion in Oncology - April 7, 2020 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: HEAD AND NECK: Edited by Joël Guigay Source Type: research
Combining immunotherapy and radiotherapy in head and neck squamous cell cancers: which perspectives?
Purpose of review
The role of the immune system is important in both initiation and development of head and neck cancers. Various immune checkpoints have been discovered that can be exploited by cancer to evade immune mediated destruction. Therefore, immune checkpoint inhibitors have been developed to overcome cancer immune-evasion and are currently in clinical use in head and neck cancers. In addition, the immune system appears to play an important role in the response to radiotherapy. The combination of immunotherapy with radiotherapy may increase the ability to induce immunogenic death by removing the locks blocking t...
Source: Current Opinion in Oncology - April 7, 2020 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: HEAD AND NECK: Edited by Joël Guigay Source Type: research
The emerging data on choice of optimal therapy for locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Purpose of review
We focus on the emerging data from randomized clinical trials for optimal integration of induction, concurrent, and/or adjuvant chemotherapy with intensity-modulated radiotherapy in locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), and the use of plasma Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) DNA for risk stratification.
Recent findings
Several phase 3 trials have shown that induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemoradiation (CRT) improved overall survival or disease-free survival when compared to CRT alone in stage III/IV NPC who is at high risk of distant metastases. The benefit of adjuvant chemotherap...
Source: Current Opinion in Oncology - April 7, 2020 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: HEAD AND NECK: Edited by Joël Guigay Source Type: research
Epidemiology of head and neck cancers: an update
Purpose of review
This review attempts to give an update of epidemiological knowledge on head and neck cancers (HNC).
Recent findings
Worldwide, from 1990 to 2017, incidence rates for larynx and nasopharyngeal cancers decreased, whereas they increased for oro/hypopharyngeal cancers and lip/oral cavity cancers. They are still markedly higher among men than women. South Asia has the highest HNC incidence rate, followed by Europe, North America, and Australasia.
Tobacco and alcohol remain the major risk factors. Rate of cancers attributable to human papillomavirus (HPV) among HNCs is highly depending on world region and...
Source: Current Opinion in Oncology - April 7, 2020 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: HEAD AND NECK: Edited by Joël Guigay Source Type: research
Editorial: Head and neck cancers: new perspectives in prevention and treatment
No abstract available (Source: Current Opinion in Oncology)
Source: Current Opinion in Oncology - April 7, 2020 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: HEAD AND NECK: Edited by Joël Guigay Source Type: research
Editorial introductions
No abstract available (Source: Current Opinion in Oncology)
Source: Current Opinion in Oncology - April 7, 2020 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: EDITORIAL INTRODUCTIONS Source Type: research
The microenvironment in myeloma
Purpose of review
The aim of the review is to describe recent advances in our understanding of how multiple myeloma interacts with its cellular and molecular neighbours in the bone marrow microenvironment, and how this may provide targets for prognostication and prevention.
Recent findings
The bone marrow microenvironment in myeloma is beginning to yield targets that are amenable to therapy. A number of trials demonstrate some clinical efficacy in heavily pretreated disease. The challenge remains for how and when these therapeutic interventions are of particular benefit early in disease progression.
Summary
Multipl...
Source: Current Opinion in Oncology - February 6, 2020 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: CANCER BIOLOGY: Edited by Pierre Hainaut and Sophie Park Source Type: research
Computational analysis of flow cytometry data in hematological malignancies: future clinical practice?
Purpose of review
This review outlines the advancements that have been made in computational analysis for clinical flow cytometry data in hematological malignancies.
Recent findings
In recent years, computational analysis methods have been applied to clinical flow cytometry data of hematological malignancies with promising results. Most studies combined dimension reduction (principle component analysis) or clustering methods (FlowSOM, generalized mixture models) with machine learning classifiers (support vector machines, random forest). For diagnosis and classification of hematological malignancies, many studies have ...
Source: Current Opinion in Oncology - February 6, 2020 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: CANCER BIOLOGY: Edited by Pierre Hainaut and Sophie Park Source Type: research
Dissecting the spatial bone marrow microenvironment of hematopoietic stem cells
Purpose of review
Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) reside in specialized anatomical microenvironments within the bone marrow space, termed HSC niches. Different bone marrow imaging modalities have been utilized to visualize HSCs in situ, and unravel the cellular identity of bone marrow cell types located in their immediate proximity. However, despite extensive research, the exact identity of bone marrow populations that physically associate with HSCs remains controversial.
Recent findings
Recent advances in volumetric imaging enable precise identification of bone marrow populations and their spatial distribution both a...
Source: Current Opinion in Oncology - February 6, 2020 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: CANCER BIOLOGY: Edited by Pierre Hainaut and Sophie Park Source Type: research
Single-cell and spatial transcriptomics approaches of the bone marrow microenvironment
Purpose of review
The bone marrow is home to hematopoietic stem cells responsible for lifelong blood production, alongside mesenchymal stem cells required for skeletal regeneration. In the bone marrow, a unique combination of signals derived from a multitude of cell types results in the establishment of so-called niches that regulate stem-cell maintenance and differentiation. Recently, single-cell and spatially resolved transcriptomics technologies have been utilized to characterize the murine bone marrow microenvironment during homeostasis, stress and upon cancer-induced remodeling. In this review, we summarize the majo...
Source: Current Opinion in Oncology - February 6, 2020 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: CANCER BIOLOGY: Edited by Pierre Hainaut and Sophie Park Source Type: research
Single-cell sequencing in hematology
Purpose of review
In this review, we highlight key recent insights into hematopoiesis and hematological malignancies through the application of novel single-cell approaches. We particularly focus on biological insights made through the study of stem/progenitors cells in myeloid malignancy at single-cell resolution.
Recent findings
Bulk molecular profiling of hematological malignancies by next generation sequencing techniques has provided major insights into the molecular pathogenesis of blood cancers. This technology is now routinely implemented in advanced clinical diagnostics, leading to the development of novel tar...
Source: Current Opinion in Oncology - February 6, 2020 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: CANCER BIOLOGY: Edited by Pierre Hainaut and Sophie Park Source Type: research
Editorial: Dissecting the pathological bone marrow niche through single-cell omics and artificial intelligence
No abstract available (Source: Current Opinion in Oncology)
Source: Current Opinion in Oncology - February 6, 2020 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: CANCER BIOLOGY: Edited by Pierre Hainaut and Sophie Park Source Type: research
Molecular prediction of metastasis in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma
Purpose of review
Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is a highly prevalent malignancy frequently occurring on body surfaces chronically exposed to ultraviolet radiation. While a large majority of tumors remain localized to the skin and immediate subcutaneous tissue and are cured with surgical excision, a small subset of patients with cSCC will develop metastatic disease. Risk stratification for cSCC is performed using clinical staging systems, but given a high mutational burden and advances in targeted and immunotherapy, there is growing interest in molecular predictors of high-risk disease.
Recent findings
Rece...
Source: Current Opinion in Oncology - February 6, 2020 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: MELANOMA AND OTHER SKIN NEOPLASMS: Edited by Céleste Lebbe Source Type: research
Update on oncogenesis and therapy for Kaposi sarcoma
Purpose of review
This review is an update of the recent findings on pathophysiology of Kaposi sarcoma, the role of HHV-8 in Kaposi sarcoma pathogenesis and to summarize the recent advances in the treatment of Kaposi sarcoma and the role of immunity to control the disease.
Recent findings
The causal agent of Kaposi sarcoma is HHV-8 and the mechanism by which HHV-8 drives the tumor development is unique. HHV-8 is not a classic oncogenic virus and the disease is an opportunistic tumor responding to immune restoration when it is possible.
Summary
Five epidemiologic types of Kaposi are recognized and HHV-8 is associate...
Source: Current Opinion in Oncology - February 6, 2020 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: MELANOMA AND OTHER SKIN NEOPLASMS: Edited by Céleste Lebbe Source Type: research
Immunobiology of Merkel cell carcinoma
Purpose of review
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and aggressive skin cancer, which is associated in 80% of cases with the Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV). Advanced stages respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors in 50% of cases. Major issues remain unanswered regarding its oncogenesis and optimal treatment.
Recent findings
MCPyV-negative and MCPyV-positive MCCs have been hypothesized to derive from distinct cells, although the cell of origin remains a matter of debate. The crucial role the MCPyV small T oncoprotein was recently confirmed by its ability to inactivate p53, together with its contribution to the me...
Source: Current Opinion in Oncology - February 6, 2020 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: MELANOMA AND OTHER SKIN NEOPLASMS: Edited by Céleste Lebbe Source Type: research
