Oral Cancer News – Page 206 – The Oral Cancer Foundation News Archive

Cetuximab therapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: a systematic review of the data

Source: http://oto.sagepub.com/ Authors: Travis D. Reeves, MD et al. Objective: To review the current state of the data on the use of cetuximab in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Data Sources: The National Center for Biotechnology Information’s PubMed and the Cochrane collection. Review Methods. Search terms included cetuximab and head and neck cancer. These results were reviewed, and a second search was performed using limits: meta-analysis, randomized controlled trial, and clinical trial. Results: The literature search yielded 412 articles. Fifteen were identified for analysis. For patients with recurrent/metastatic disease who received combination chemotherapy in phase I/II trials, the overall response (OR) was 18.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 10.4%-27.0%). Phase III trial data for combination chemotherapy in recurrent/metastatic disease showed OR to be 17.0% (95% CI, 12.6%-21.4%) for platinum-based regimens and 34.2% (28.6%-39.7%) for platinum-based regimens with cetuximab. For this same group, the estimated aggregate hazard ratio comparing platinum-based therapy plus cetuximab to platinum therapy alone was 1.10 (95% CI, 0.78-1.54), indicating no significant improvement in overall survival in the aggregate analysis. Combination chemoradiation with cetuximab in both phase I/II trials and the single phase III trial shows enhanced responsiveness, but the data are difficult to interpret because it is not used with standard-of-care regimens for advanced-stage disease. Conclusion: Early evidence has shown cetuximab to be effective in the treatment of HNSCC, and it should be used to enhance, but not replace, current treatment paradigms until further phase III data are available. Note: This article was presented at the [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2011-03-05T12:32:58-07:00March, 2011|Oral Cancer News|

Fish oil helps prevent weight and muscle loss in cancer patients

Source: www.medscape.com Author: Roxanne Nelson Supplementation with fish oil might help prevent muscle wasting and weight loss in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. In a small study of 40 patients newly diagnosed with nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), those who received fish oil supplements maintained weight, muscle mass, and muscle quality. The study, published online February 28 in Cancer, found that about 69% of the patients who took fish oil gained or maintained muscle mass. In comparison, only 29% of patients in the control group maintained muscle mass; as a group, they lost an average of 1 kg of muscle. "Fish oil may prevent loss of weight and muscle by interfering with some of the pathways that are altered in advanced cancer," said senior author Vera C. Mazurak, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural, Food & Nutritional Science at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada. "This holds great promise because currently there is no effective treatment for cancer-related malnutrition," she said in a statement. Dr. Mazurak pointed out that fish oil is safe and nontoxic with virtually no adverse effects, and might benefit patients with other types of cancer or chronic diseases that are associated with malnutrition. It might also be beneficial to elderly individuals who are at risk for muscle loss. However, in their paper, the authors point out that previous results with fish oils in cancer patients have been mixed. Three large phase 3 trials failed to demonstrate a clear benefit of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on either [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2011-03-04T19:11:49-07:00March, 2011|Oral Cancer News|

HIM study looks at HPV infection and clearance in men

Medscape Oncology News By Nick Mulcahy March 1, 2011 — Half of all the men participating in a natural history study of human papillomavirus (HPV) were infected with some strain of HPV at some point during study period, according to the results of a new study published online March 1 in the Lancet. The HPV in Men (HIM) study, led by Anna Giuliano, PhD, from the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida, followed 1159 adult males for a median follow-up of 27.5 months. However, the prevalence of viral types for which there is a prophylactic vaccine is low — 6% for HPV16 and 2% for HPV18 (the 2 oncogenic types), and 7% for HPV6 and 1% for HPV11 (the 2 nononcogenic types). Data on HPV incidence and clearance from the HIM study have immediate uses, suggests the author of an editorial accompanying the study. "The HIM data on HPV incidence and clearance should be exploited to elaborate prevention guidance, and to minimize transmission and to aid management and associated concerns for couples," says editorialist Joseph Monsonego, MD, from the Institute of the Cervix in Paris, France. Men transmitting HPV to women is especially concerning, writes Dr. Monsonego, because "extrapolation from the HIM data strongly suggests that the natural history of HPV is different in men and women, with high infection and low disease rates in men and low infection and high disease rates in women." However, he points out that "the cost–benefit ratio of vaccinating men to protect women from [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2011-03-04T17:37:35-07:00March, 2011|Oral Cancer News|

Prevention of radiation-induced salivary hypofunction following hKGF gene delivery to murine submandibular glands

Source: clincancerres.aacrjournals.org Authors: Changyu Zheng et al. Purpose: Salivary glands are significantly affected when head and neck cancer patients are treated by radiation. We evaluated the effect of human keratinocyte growth factor (hKGF) gene transfer to murine salivary glands on the prevention of radiation-induced salivary hypofunction. Experimental Design: A hybrid serotype 5 adenoviral vector encoding hKGF (AdLTR2EF1alpha-hKGF) was constructed. Female C3H mice, 8 weeks old, were irradiated by single (15 Gy) or fractionated (6 Gy for 5 days) doses to induce salivary hypofunction. AdLTR2EF1alpha-hKGF or Adcontrol was administered (108 - 1010 particles/gland) to both submandibular glands (SGs) by retrograde ductal instillation before irradiation. Salivary flow was measured following pilocarpine stimulation. Human KGF levels were measured by ELISA. SG cell proliferation was measured with bromodeoxyuridine labeling. Endothelial and progenitor or stem cells in SGs were measured by flow cytometry. The effect on SG hKGF production on SCC VII tumor growth was assessed. Results: In 3 separate single dose irradiation experiments salivary flow rates of mice administered the AdLTR2EF1alpha-hKGF vector were not significantly different from non-irradiated control mice (P greater than 0.05). Similarly, in 3 separate fractionated irradiation experiments the hKGF-expressing vector prevented salivary hypofunction dramatically. Transgenic hKGF protein was found at high levels in serum and SG extracts. AdLTR2EF1alpha-hKGF-treated mice showed increased cell proliferation, and numbers of endothelial cells, compared to mice treated with AdControl. hKGF gene transfer had no effect on SCC VII tumor growth plus/minus radiation. Conclusions: hKGF gene transfer prevents salivary hypofunction caused by either single or fractionated [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2011-03-03T22:53:20-07:00March, 2011|Oral Cancer News|

General medical practitioners not likely to be part of the oral cancer solution

Source: HighWire- Stanford University Summary of a study by: LA Shanks, TW Walker, PJ McCann, and MJ Kerin There has been little improvement in the survival of patients with oral cancer despite advances in treatment. One observation is that late presentation of the disease is this reason for this continuing poor outcome. However research and experience tell us that tuition in medical schools about examination of the oral cavity is poor. This study aimed to ascertain the opinions and experience of medical students regarding this at Stanford by dissemination of a web-based anonymous questionnaire that focused on education about examination of the oral cavity, and experience in carrying it out. From a cohort of 600 students 458 (76%) responded. A total of 334 (73%) had not been taught how to examine the oral cavity, 372 (81%) had had no experience of doing so in patients, and only 15% felt confident to diagnose a carcinoma of the lip or oral cavity. Eighty-nine percent felt that the tuition given had not been adequate. OCF From this survey it is clear that examination of the oral cavity cannot be considered part of the core clinical curriculum, and medical schools and departments of oral and maxillofacial surgery urgently need to embrace the introduction of the necessary skills.

Charlotte Parker2011-03-03T22:46:25-07:00March, 2011|Oral Cancer News|

Fatal adverse events with Bevacizumab

Source: Medscape Today Treatment-Related Mortality With Bevacizumab in Cancer Patients: A Meta-analysis Study Summary Although bevacizumab has been shown to improve survival in patients with a variety of solid tumors when added to conventional chemotherapy, it has also been associated with life-threatening and fatal adverse events (FAEs), including bleeding, thromboembolism, and perforation. This improvement in survival has led to the assumption that FAEs are rare and do not significantly affect patients who are receiving treatment. In this large meta-analysis, Ranpura and colleagues identified 10,217 patients with various solid tumors from 16 randomized studies, as follows: Colorectal cancer (5 studies); Non-small cell lung cancer (4 studies); Breast cancer (3 studies); Renal cell cancer (2 studies); Pancreatic cancer (1 study); and Prostate cancer (1 study). A clear increase in FAEs was evident in patients who received bevacizumab compared with those who received standard chemotherapy alone (2.5% vs 1.7%; relative risk [RR] 1.46; P = .01). This association varied with chemotherapy agents but not with tumor type. In particular, FAEs occurred in patients receiving taxanes or platinum agents (RR 3.49; 3.3% vs 1%) but not with other specific agents. Types of FAEs included bleeding (23.5%), gastrointestinal perforation (7.1%), and pulmonary embolism and stroke (5.1% each). Most fatal bleeding events were pulmonary or gastrointestinal in origin. Viewpoint The benefit of bevacizumab is under increased scrutiny given the latest data in patients with metastatic breast cancer. In this large meta-analysis, Ranpura and colleagues documented a clear increase in the rate of FAEs (2.5%) in patients [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2011-03-03T22:45:53-07:00March, 2011|Oral Cancer News|

Study IDs dysphagia risk after head/neck cancer treatment

Source: www.DrBicuspid.com February 28, 2011 -- A team of Danish researchers has developed a predictive model for determining which head and neck cancer patients are at risk of developing dysphagia (swallowing disfunction) following intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). Hanna Rahbek Mortensen, PhD, and colleagues presented results from a large prospective trial, the DAHANCA 6 & 7 study, at last week's International Conference on Innovative Approaches in Head and Neck Oncology in Barcelona, Spain. "We followed 1,476 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, and found out the existence of factors related to the cancer itself, to the patient and to the treatment influencing the development of dysphagia," Mortensen said in a press release. Dysphagia may be acute or late. Risk factors for developing severe acute dysphagia were large tumors, spreading of cancer cells to the lymph nodes, swallowing problems at the time of diagnosis, six treatments per week, and tumor location other than the vocal cords, the researchers noted. Risk factors for developing late dysphagia were large tumors, swallowing problems at the time of diagnosis, and tumor location other than the vocal cords. Although 83% of all head and neck cancer patients develop some kind of dysphagia, this predictive model will have a major impact on patient quality of life, the researchers noted. "These results are very important," said Dr. J.A. Langendijk from the University Medical Center of Groningen. "Today, with the increasing use of IMRT, the dose to the salivary glands is reduced, resulting in lower risks on xerostomia. [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2011-02-28T16:49:12-07:00February, 2011|Oral Cancer News|

Adolescents and oral sex: is it really something to worry about?

Source: aaas.confex.com Author: Bonnie Halpern-Felsher , University of California, San Francisco, CA National studies show that the most common form of partnered sexual behavior among adolescents is oral sex. While oral sex does not result in pregnancy, it can lead to STIs. Most studies on adolescent sex have focused on vaginal sex, thus leaving important questions concerning adolescents’ attitudes, perceptions, and experiences with oral sex untapped. This presentation will utilize longitudinal data collected over the first three years of high school to address the following questions: 1) What are adolescents’ beliefs concerning the social, emotional and health consequences of oral compared to vaginal sex? 2) What is the relationship between adolescent oral and vaginal sex? 3) What are the positive and negative outcomes experienced by adolescents who have engaged in oral sex, vaginal sex, or both? Beginning in the fall of 9th grade, 637 adolescents (56% female) were surveyed every 6 months for three years. Between 74% and 92% of the participants responded at each wave. Participants reported diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. Results showed adolescents: 1) perceived oral sex to entail less social, emotional and health risks than vaginal sex; 2) believed that oral sex was more prevalent and more acceptable than vaginal sex; 3) who reported only having engaged in oral sex experienced fewer STIs as well as fewer social and emotional consequences, compared to adolescents who had vaginal sex experience; 4) who only engaged in oral sex reported experiencing fewer benefits, including pleasure or feeling good about [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2011-02-23T14:44:41-07:00February, 2011|Oral Cancer News|

Oral sex now main cause of oral cancer: Who faces biggest risk?

Source: www.cbsnews.com Author: David W Freeman What's the leading cause of oral cancer? Smoking? Heavy drinking? Actually, it's oral sex. Scientists say that 64 percent of cancers of the oral cavity, head, and neck in the U.S. are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), which is commonly spread via oral sex, NPR reported. The more oral sex you have - and the more oral sex partners you have - the greater the risk of developing these potentially deadly cancers. "An individual who has six or more lifetime partners - on whom they've performed oral sex - has an eightfold increase in risk compared to someone who has never performed oral sex, Ohio University's Dr. Maura Gillison, said at a recent scientific meeting, according to NPR. It's news that might alarm some parents, who worry about adolescents' appetite for oral sex. "Today's teens consider oral sex to be casual, socially acceptable, inconsequential, and significantly less risky to their health than 'real' sex," Dr. Gillison and colleagues said in a written statement released in conjunction with the meeting. Teens simply think oral sex is "not that a big a deal," Dr. Bonnie Halpern-Felsher, professor of pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco, told NPR. "Parents and health educators are not talking to teens about oral sex. Period." But simply needling teens about the risks posed by oral sex and HPV - the same virus that causes cervical cancer - is no substitute for literally giving them the needle. "When my patients ask [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2011-02-24T10:23:55-07:00February, 2011|OCF In The News, Oral Cancer News|

Virus passed during oral sex tops tobacco as throat cancer cause

Source: www.npr.org Author: Peggy Girshman If you're keeping score, here's even more evidence that HPV causes oral, head and neck cancers and that vaccines may be able to prevent it. Researchers studying the human papilloma virus say that in the United States HPV causes 64 percent of oropharynxl cancers. In the rest of the world, tobacco remains the leading cause of oral cancer, Dr. Maura Gillison of Ohio State University told a meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science this past weekend. And the more oral sex someone has had — and the more partners they've had — the greater their risk of getting these cancers, which grow in the middle part of the throat. "An individual who has six or more lifetime partners — on whom they've performed oral sex – has an eightfold increase in risk compared to someone who has never performed oral sex," she said. The recent rise in oropharnx cancer is predominantly among young, white men, she noted, though she says no one has figured out why yet. About 37,000 people in the United States were diagnosed with oral cancer in 2010, according to the Oral Cancer Foundation. People with HPV-related throat cancer are more likely to survive their cancer than those who were heavy smokers or drinkers, the other big risk factors. The message may be more critical for teens according to Bonnie Halpern-Felsher, professor of pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco. She has studied 600 adolescents over 10 [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2011-02-24T10:24:37-07:00February, 2011|Oral Cancer News|