June 1st 2025
Results from the NIVOPOSTOP trial found improved DFS with adjuvant nivolumab plus cisplatin and RT for patients with LA-SCCHN.
Subcutaneous Amifostine Provides Protection Against Radiation-Induced Acute Xerostomia
August 2nd 2001PHILADELPHIA-For head and neck cancer patients, subcutaneous (SC) amifostine (Ethyol) provides equal protection against radiation-induced grade 2 acute xerostomia compared to intravenous (IV) amifostine, Pramila Rani Anné, MD, reported. She cautioned, however, that SC amifostine should be used only in clinical trials until ways to prevent cutaneous toxicities are worked out.
Refining Targets to Reduce Late-Appearing Radiation Side Effects in Head and Neck Cancer
August 2nd 2001ST. LOUIS-Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and use of radioprotectant agents may help reduce late-appearing radiation side effects, reported K. S. Clifford Chao, MD. Dr. Chao is associated radiation oncologist, Department of Radiation Oncology at the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis.
Current Clinical Trials of the Anti-VEGF Monoclonal Antibody Bevacizumab
August 1st 2001Given the well-established role of angiogenesis (or new blood vessel formation) in tumor growth and metastasis, antiangiogenic therapy, a concept first proposed by Dr. Judah Folkman,[1] has become increasingly recognized as a promising
Topoisomerase I Inhibitors in the Treatment of Head and Neck Cancer
Traditionally, the role of chemotherapy in the treatment ofsquamous carcinoma of the head and neck has been confined to patients with
Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitors in Clinical Trials
June 1st 2001With the understanding of the mechanism of malignant transformation has come the knowledge that oncogene products are frequently growth factors, growth factor receptors, or elements of growth factor signal-transduction pathways. Overexpression
Surgical Approach to Organ Preservation in the Treatment of Cancer of the Larynx
June 1st 2001Nonsurgical approaches to preservation of the larynx in the treatment of laryngeal carcinoma include either radiation alone or chemotherapy and radiation in combination. In light of the common use of total laryngectomy,
New Drug Application Filing for Cisplatin/Epinephrine for Head and Neck Cancer
April 1st 2001Matrix Pharmaceutical, Inc, announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted the filing of a New Drug Application (NDA) for cisplatin/epinephrine (IntraDose) injectable gel for the treatment of refractory or recurrent head
IMRT Spares Salivary Function in Head & Neck Cancer Patients
March 1st 2001BOSTON-By reducing radiation to the parotid glands, intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) allows head and neck cancer patients to maintain more saliva flow after therapy. Clifford K.S. Chao, MD, of Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, reported the study results at the 42nd Annual Meeting of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology.
Commentary (Cohen/Vokes): Gene Therapy for Head and Neck Cancers
March 1st 2001This issue of Oncology features an excellent review of gene therapy for head and neck cancers. Lamont and colleagues have highlighted the principles of genetic intervention, the current state of available therapies, and the results of human trials in an organized and coherent manner.
Commentary (Frank): Gene Therapy for Head and Neck Cancers
March 1st 2001Lamont et al have presented a very clear and concise review of current gene therapy strategies in the management of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. While the presentation highlighted the most important work to date in this expanding field, it also made reference to some controversies and challenges that we are now facing. With this in mind, I would like to expand on and clarify several points raised by the authors.
Gene Therapy for Head and Neck Cancers
March 1st 2001Despite advances in surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, survival of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck has not significantly improved over the past 30 years. Locally recurrent or refractory disease is particularly difficult to treat. Repeat surgical resection and/or radiotherapy are often not possible, and long-term results for salvage chemotherapy are poor. Recent advances in gene therapy have been applied to recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Many of these techniques are now in clinical trials and have shown some efficacy. This article discusses the techniques employed in gene therapy and summarizes the ongoing protocols that are currently being evaluated in clinical trials. [ONCOLOGY 15(3):303-314, 2001]
Study Details Use of Amifostine in Radiation Setting
February 1st 2001ALZA Corporation and MedImmune, Inc, recently announced the results of a phase III study evaluating the use of amifostine (Ethyol) in the care of head and neck cancer patients who received radiation therapy. Recently published in the Journal of
Accelerated RT Beneficial in Head and Neck Cancer
February 1st 2001BOSTON-Despite substantially increased acute toxicity, patients with inoperable head and neck tumors benefited from accelerated radiation therapy in a randomized clinical trial reported by Jean Bourhis, MD, PhD, at the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) annual meeting.
Minimally Invasive Approach to Esophagectomy May Decrease Morbidity
January 1st 2001Minimally invasive surgery for esophagectomy may lower the morbidity often associated with open esophagectomy, according to a study conducted by surgeons at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and published in the September
Commentary (Stenson): Indications for Selective Neck Dissection: When, How, and Why
October 1st 2000Selective neck dissection is a procedure that is primarily indicated in patients with clinically negative nodal disease in which there is a high risk of occult metastases. Others have advocated its use for patients with
Commentary (Goodwin): Indications for Selective Neck Dissection: When, How, and Why
October 1st 2000Selective neck dissection is a procedure that is primarily indicated in patients with clinically negative nodal disease in which there is a high risk of occult metastases. Others have advocated its use for patients with
UFT Plus Carboplatin for Head and Neck Cancer
Cisplatin plus fluorouracil (5-FU) is widely accepted as neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy in the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma; UFT is also an active agent against this disease. In the first retrospective study, we examined the efficacy of UFT as adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with maxillary cancer.
Chemotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer Goes Beyond Palliation to Cure for Some Patients
September 1st 2000NASHVILLE, Tennessee-‘‘Historically, chemotherapy was only palliative in head and neck cancers, but chemotherapy regimens now in use actually do cure some patients,” Barbara A Murphy, MD, told a clinical investigators’ workshop. Dr. Murphy is Assistant Professor of Medicine at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville, Tennessee. The workshop was sponsored by the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and Pharmacia Oncology.
Cisplatin/Epinephrine Shows Positive Phase III Results: Next Step, NDA
July 1st 2000Based on the positive results of two independent, corroborative, placebo-controlled phase III clinical studies in head and neck cancer, Matrix Pharmaceuticals, Inc, has announced plans to submit a new drug application for a cisplatin/epinephrine
HPV Infection May Cause Certain Head and Neck Cancers
June 1st 2000BALTIMORE-Researchers at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and School of Hygiene and Public Health have found human papillomavirus (HPV) to be a likely cause of certain cancers of the head and neck, and also an indicator of improved survival.
Commentary (Shah): Current Status of Voice Restoration Following Total Laryngectomy
June 1st 2000Drs. Mark Singer and Eric Blom revolutionized the process of speech rehabilitation following total laryngectomy with their introduction of the tracheoesophageal puncture and insertion of a duck bill prosthesis.[1-5] The physiologic principles of the procedure are obvious, the surgical technique is simple, and the results in terms of fluent speech production are immediate and quite satisfactory. Dr. Blom is to be complimented for providing in this article, a succinct summary of the “current methods” available for speech rehabilitation for a patient facing total laryngectomy.
Advocate Urges Greater Attention to Cancer Prevention Research
March 1st 2000ALEXANDRIA, Va-Since she founded the Cancer Research Foundation of American (CRFA) in 1985, the year after her father’s death from head and neck cancer, Carolyn “Bo” Aldigé has become a persuasive and respected advocate for cancer
Accelerated RT + Mitomycin Improves Head & Neck Cancer
March 1st 2000SAN ANTONIO-Accelerated radiation therapy given concomitantly with mitomycin C (Mutamycin) produced significantly improved results over standard radiation in patients with advanced head and neck cancer, Werner H. Dobrowsky, MD, reported at the at 41st Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology.
Interim Results of Trials of Chemotherapy Plus Electric Pulses
January 1st 2000Genetronics Biomedical Ltd announced interim dataand results of phase II clinical trials evaluating the company’s electroporation therapy (EPT) system, which combines an intratumoral injection of a chemotherapeutic agent with a pulsed electric field, in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Data from the trials, which were conducted in the United States and Canada, were presented at the 35th annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). Genetronics also announced preliminary data and results from a similar study conducted in Europe.