Outcomes of primary radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy for advanced oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma: Systematic review

NK cell based immunotherapy against oral squamous cell carcinoma

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), a major subtype of head and neck cancers, presents significant challenges due to its aggressive feature and limited therapeutic efficacy of conventional treatments. In response to these challenges, Natural Killer (NK) cells, a vital component of the innate immune system, are being explored for their therapeutic potential in OSCC due to their inherent ability to target and eliminate cancer cells without prior sensitization. This review uniquely focuses on the evolving role of NK cells specifically in OSCC, incorporating recent advancements in CAR-NK cell engineering and personalized therapy approaches that have not been comprehensively covered in previous reviews. The mechanisms through which NK cells exert cytotoxic effects on tumor cells include direct killing through the engagement of natural cytotoxic receptors and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), making them promising agents in cancer immunotherapy. Additionally, the article explores recent advancements in engineering NK cells to enhance their antitumor activity, such as the modification with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) to target specific tumor antigens. Clinical implications of NK cell-based therapies, including the challenges of integrating these treatments with existing protocols and the potential for personalized therapy, are examined. The review highlights the promise of NK cell therapies in improving outcomes for OSCC patients and outlines future directions for research in this dynamic field of oncological immunotherapy.

Iron, Ferroptosis, and Head and Neck Cancer

Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent regulatory form of cell death characterized by the accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation. It plays a critical role not only in promoting drug resistance in tumors, but also in shaping therapeutic approaches for various malignancies. This review aims to elucidate the relationship between ferroptosis and head and neck cancer treatment by discussing its conceptual framework, mechanism of action, functional aspects, and implications for tumor therapy. In addition, this review consolidates strategies aimed at improving the efficacy of head and neck cancer treatment through modulation of ferroptosis, herein serving as a valuable reference for advancing the treatment landscape for this patient population.

FBXW7 Enhances Cisplatin-Induced Apoptosis in Oral Cancer Cell Lines

BACKGROUND

About one-third of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) have a risk of occurrence and chemoresistance, making survival rates abysmal. We aim to evaluate the role of F-box/WD repeat-containing protein 7 (FBXW7) to further develop efficient treatment of chemoresistant OSCC.

METHODS

FBXW7 overexpression was induced in human OSCC cell lines including SCC9 and CAL27 by a lentiviral vector, Lv-FBXW7 or lv-NC (noncoding control), and overexpression efficiency was assessed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot of FBXW7. Cell viability was measured using MTT assay. The effects of FBXW7 overexpression on cell migration and invasion was evaluated by the colony formation assay and Matrigel assay. Apoptosis of cells with lv-FBXW7 transfection was measured by qRT-PCR and western blot analyses of BAX, BAK, MCL1, and BCL2 expression. Growth rate and cisplatin sensitivity of CAL27 xenografts with or without FBXW7 overexpression was monitored. Ki-67 and PCMA levels-which are biomarkers of intratumoural apoptosis-BAX, MCL1, Beclin1, and LC3I&II-which are autophagy biomarkers-were assessed.

RESULTS

Transfection of lv-FBXW7 in SCC9 and CAL27 cells resulted in increased sensitivity to cisplatin treatment, as evidenced by slower cell proliferation, lower colony formation and invasion, higher apoptosis, and autophagy compared to those transfected with lv-NC. Mice with CAL27 xenografts overexpressing FBXW7 also demonstrated slower tumour growth and upregulation in Ki067 and PCNA. Tumours also showed higher apoptosis and autophagy activities.

CONCLUSIONS

FBXW7 overexpression was herein shown to effectively sensitise OSCC cells to cisplatin treatment in vitro and in vivo.

Management of Stage III Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Light of the New Staging System: a Critical Review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients have a poor prognosis, especially in advanced stages. AJCC/UICC staging system 8th edition (TNM8) included depth of invasion (DOI) as part of T staging and stage III has become a heterogeneous group of lesions, composed of patients with larger DOI and/or width. Additionally, stage III includes N1, regardless of the primary tumor width or DOI. The real prognostic value of each of these characteristics and the need for adjuvant treatment for stage III patients is not well established.

RECENT FINDINGS

TNM8 stratified OSCC into prognostic groups based on overall survival. Extranodal extension, positive or close margins, pT3 or pT4 tumors, pN2 or pN3 nodal disease, nodal disease in levels IV or V, perineural invasion, vascular invasion, and lymphatic invasion are the main adverse features for OSCC, and adjuvant treatment is largely recommended for these patients. Stage III patients should be addressed with caution. So far, there is no significant evidence for recommending or excluding adjuvant treatment for stage III OSCC without adverse features. The authors largely recommend adjuvant radiotherapy for these cases, especially because pT3 without adverse features is rare. Further studies on this topic are necessary.

Single-cell transcriptomics uncover the key ferroptosis regulators contribute to cancer progression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

The mechanism underlying the association between the development of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and ferroptosis is unclear. We analyzed the transcriptomes of 5902 single cells from a single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) dataset. They then aggregate into B cells, epithelial cells, fibroblasts, germ cells, mesenchymal cells, cancer stem cells, stem cells, T cells and endometrial cells, respectively. Our study shows that multiple pathways are significantly enriched in HNSCC development including extracellular matrix structural components, humoral immune responses, and muscle contraction. Differentially expressed genes analysis in Pseudotime analysis, pathway and biological function indicated that there was a significant correlation in the ferroptosis pathway. Furthermore, higher ferroptosis potential index (FPI) scores were significantly associated with worse overall survival prognosis in HNSCC patients. Pseudo-temporal, survival analyses and immunohistochemistry identified multiple central genes in HNSCC development, including ACSL1, SLC39A14, TFRC, and PRNP genes, and indicated associated ferroptosis. Overall, our study detected ferroptosis-related features is closely correlated with HNSCC prognosis and development, and deserved candidates suitable for immunotherapy treatment strategies determination for HNSCC patients.

Metabolic response to radiation therapy in cancer

Tumor metabolism has emerged as a hallmark of cancer and is involved in carcinogenesis and tumor growth. Reprogramming of tumor metabolism is necessary for cancer cells to sustain high proliferation rates and enhanced demands for nutrients. Recent studies suggest that metabolic plasticity in cancer cells can decrease the efficacy of anticancer therapies by enhancing antioxidant defenses and DNA repair mechanisms. Studying radiation-induced metabolic changes will lead to a better understanding of radiation response mechanisms as well as the identification of new therapeutic targets, but there are few robust studies characterizing the metabolic changes induced by radiation therapy in cancer. In this review, we will highlight studies that provide information on the metabolic changes induced by radiation and oxidative stress in cancer cells and the associated underlying mechanisms.