Oral Oncol
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Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) is an immune checkpoint that is primarily located on the surface of tumor cells. PD-L1 expression detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC) assays has been widely studied to predict survival outcomes in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) recently. We aimed to review comprehensively the prognostic role of PD-L1 expression for survival in HNSCC. ⋯ PD-L1 expression detected by IHC was not recommended to predict survival in HNSCC patients. However, the positive PD-L1 expression might predict better PFS in patients with advanced HNSCC. The combined effects of PD-L1 expression and CD8+ tumor-infiltrating T cells should be further elucidated.
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Comparative Study
Survival impact and toxicity of metformin in head and neck cancer: An analysis of the SEER-Medicare dataset.
Recent preclinical research has renewed interest in the interplay between glucose dysregulation and cancer. Metformin holds promise as an adjunctive antineoplastic agent in head and neck cancer (HNC). We aimed to explore the impact of metformin in HNC patients from a population-based dataset. ⋯ HNC patients with diabetes taking metformin experience improved CSS. Prospective investigation of the addition of metformin to standard-of-care HNC therapy is warranted.
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Comparative Study
Low versus high activity radioiodine remnant ablation for differentiated thyroid carcinoma with gross extrathyroidal extension invading only strap muscles.
The efficacy of radioiodine remnant ablation (RRA) for patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) with gross extrathyroidal extension (ETE) is well described in observational studies. However, its role in gross ETE invading only strap muscles, T3b category in the newly proposed eighth edition of the TNM staging system, is currently unknown. ⋯ Long term oncologic outcomes did not significantly differ between low versus high activity RRA groups, which suggests that low activity RRA might be sufficient in patients with DTC with gross ETE invading only strap muscles. Further studies are needed to clarify the optimal activity of RRA in these patients.
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The prognostic role of obesity in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is not well defined. This study aims to determine its effect on disease-specific outcomes such as recurrence-free survival (RFS), locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRRFS), and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) in addition to overall survival (OS). ⋯ Being overweight/obese at the time of HNSCC diagnosis is an independent prognostic factor conferring better survival, while obesity is independently associated with longer time to recurrence, primarily by improving distant control.