The immune microenvironment and HPV in anal cancer: Rationale to complement chemoradiation with immunotherapy

Human Papillomavirus Infection in Penile Cancer: Multidimensional Mechanisms and Vaccine Strategies

Penile cancer (PC) is a rare male malignant tumor, with early lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis. Human papillomavirus (HPV) plays a key role in the carcinogenesis of PC. This review aims to summarize the association between HPV infection and PC in terms of virus-host genome integration patterns (the disrupted regions in the HPV and PC genome), genetic alterations, and epigenetic regulation (methylation and microRNA modification) occurring in HPV and PC DNA, as well as tumor immune microenvironment reprogramming. In addition, the potential of HPV vaccination strategies for PC prevention and treatment is discussed. Understanding of the HPV-related multidimensional mechanisms and the application of HPV vaccines will promote rational and novel management of PC.

Predictive impact of human papillomavirus circulating tumor DNA in treatment response monitoring of HPV-associated cancers; a meta-analysis on recurrent event endpoints

BACKGROUND

HPV infection can cause cancer, and standard treatments often result in recurrence. The extent to which liquid biopsy using HPV circulating tumor DNA (HPV ctDNA) can be used as a promising marker for predicting recurrence in HPV-related cancers remains to be validated. Here we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess its effectiveness in predicting treatment response.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic literature search of online databases, including PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library, up to December 2022. The goal was to identify survival studies that evaluated the potential of plasma HPV ctDNA at baseline and end-of-treatment (EoT) in predicting recurrence of related cancers. Hazard ratios were estimated directly from models or extracted from Kaplan-Meier plots.

RESULTS

The pooled effect of HPV ctDNA presence on disease recurrence was estimated to be HR = 7.97 (95% CI: [3.74, 17.01]). Subgroup analysis showed that the risk of recurrence was HR = 2.17 (95% CI: [1.07, 4.41]) for baseline-positive cases and HR = 13.21 (95% CI: [6.62, 26.36]) for EoT-positive cases. Significant associations were also observed between recurrence of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HR = 12.25 (95% CI: [2.62, 57.36])) and cervical cancer (HR = 4.60 (95% CI: [2.08, 10.17])) in plasma HPV ctDNA-positive patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The study found that HPV ctDNA detection can predict the rate of relapse or recurrence after treatment, with post-treatment measurement being more effective than baseline assessment. HPV ctDNA could be used as a surrogate or incorporated with other methods for detecting residual disease.

Primary Anal Cancer Screening Results From 381 Women With Human Immunodeficiency Virus

BACKGROUND

Women with human immunodeficiency virus (WWH) have an elevated risk for human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated anal cancer. Primary anal cancer screening results from this population could inform practice guidelines.

METHODS

In total, 381 WWH with anal cytology screening, high-risk HPV (hrHPV) testing and genital (cervical or vaginal) cotesting within 6 months were identified during 2012-2019. Those with anal cytology of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) or worse underwent high-resolution anoscopy and biopsy. Independent predictors of anal hrHPV, HPV16, and histological anal high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (aHSIL) were identified using adjusted logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Prevalence of anal hrHPV, HPV16, and ASCUS or worse cytology was 61%, 13%, and 68%. Histological aHSIL was detected in 42% of WWH with ASCUS or worse anal cytology. Prevalence of genital hrHPV, HPV16, and ASCUS or worse cytology was 30%, 4%, and 28%. Genital hrHPV predicted anal hrHPV (odds ratio [OR], 5.05), while genital HPV16 predicted anal HPV16 (OR, 9.52). Genital hrHPV and anal HPV16 predicted histological aHSIL (ORs, 2.78 and 10.9).

CONCLUSIONS

Anal HPV disease was highly prevalent in this primary screening cohort of WWH. While genital screening results predicted anal disease, rates of isolated anal HPV disease were substantial, supporting universal anal cancer screening for this population.

The emerging role of immunotherapy in the treatment of anal cancer

For decades, chemoradiotherapy for early-stage disease and systemic chemotherapy for advanced disease have represented the mainstay of treatment for anal cancer. Over the last few years, however, the advent of immunotherapy has opened interesting therapeutic perspectives, with the establishment of new standards of care, and the development of clinical trials that may further shape the treatment algorithm for this tumour. In this review article, we discuss the rationale behind the use of immunotherapy for anal cancer and provide an overview of the available clinical data and ongoing efforts to build on these.

The Role of Inflammation in Anal Cancer

The aim of this article was to present a summary of the current resources available in the literature regarding the role of inflammation in anal cancer development. Anal cancer is relatively uncommon, accounting for about 2.7% of all reported gastrointestinal cancers in the United States. However, the importance of understanding the pathogenesis and risk factors for anal cancer has been recognized over the last several decades due to a noticed increase in incidence worldwide. Infections, autoimmune diseases, and inflammatory diseases of unknown etiology cause chronic inflammation that promotes tumorigenesis. The association between chronic inflammation and cancer development is widely accepted. It is based on different pathophysiological mechanisms that lead to cellular transformation and changes in immunological response, allowing tumor cells to avoid apoptosis and immune surveillance. However, there are still many molecular and cellular mechanisms that remain largely unexplored. Further studies on this topic could be of tremendous significance in elucidating anal cancer pathogenesis and developing immunotherapeutic approaches for its treatment.

Neoadjuvant PD-1 Blockade Combined With Chemotherapy Followed by Concurrent Immunoradiotherapy in Locally Advanced Anal Canal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients: Antitumor Efficacy, Safety and Biomarker Analysis

Background

Anal canal squamous cell carcinoma (ACSCC) is an exceedingly rare malignant neoplasm with challenges in sphincter preservation, treatment toxicities and long-term survival. Little is known concerning the activity of PD-1 antibodies in locally advanced ACSCC. This study reports on the efficacy and toxicities of a neoadjuvant PD-1 blockade combined with chemotherapy followed by concurrent immunoradiotherapy in ACSCC patients, and describes biomarkers expression and mutation signatures.

Methods

In this cohort study, patients were treated as planned, including four cycles of neoadjuvant PD-1 antibody toripalimab combined with docetaxol and cisplatin, followed by radiotherapy and two cycles of concurrent toripalimab. Multiplex immunofluorescence staining (mIHC) with PD-L1, CD8, CD163, Pan-Keratin and DAPI was performed with the pretreatment tumor tissue. Whole exome sequencing was performed for the primary tumor and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The primary endpoint was the complete clinical response (cCR) rate at 3 months after overall treatment. Acute and late toxicities graded were assessed prospectively.

Results

Five female patients with a median age of 50 years old (range, 43-65 years old), finished treatment as planned. One patient had grade 3 immune related dermatitis. Two patients had grade 3 myelosuppression during neoadjuvant treatment. No severe radiation-related toxicities were noted. Four patients with PD-L1 expression >1% achieved a cCR after neoadjuvant treatment. and the other patient with negative PD-L1 expression also achieved a cCR at 3 months after radiotherapy. All the patients were alive and free from disease and had a normal quality of life, with 19.6-24 months follow up. Inconsistent expression of PD-L1 and CD163 was detected in 3 and 5 patients, respectively. TTN, POLE, MGAM2 were the top mutation frequencies, and 80 significant driver genes were identified. Pathway analysis showed enrichment of apoptosis, Rap1, Ras, and pathways in cancer signaling pathways. Eight significantly deleted regions were identified.

Conclusions

This small cohort of locally advanced ACSCC patients had quite satisfactory cCR and sphincter preservation rate, after neoadjuvant PD-1 antibody toripalimab combined with chemotherapy followed by concurrent immunoradiotherapy, with mild acute and long-term toxicities.

A Prospective Cohort Study of Biomarkers in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Anal Canal (SCCAC) and their Influence on Treatment Outcomes

Background: Although Chemoradiation (CRT) is the curative treatment for SCCAC, many patients present primary resistance. Since it is a rare tumor, response predictors remain unknown.

Methods: We performed a prospective cohort study to evaluate biomarkers associated with CRT response, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). The primary endpoint was response at 6 months (m). Tumor DNA and HPV were analyzed by next-generation sequencing, while KI-67 and PD-L1 by immunohistochemistry in tumor tissue.

Results: Seventy-eight patients were recruited between October/2011 and December/2015, and 75 were response evaluable. The median age was 57 years, 65% (n=49) were stage III and 12% (n=9) were HIV positive (HIV+). At 6m, 62.7% (n=47) presented CR. On multivariate analyses, stage II patients were 4.7 more likely to achieve response than stage III (OR, 4.70; 95%CI, 1.36-16.30; p=0.015). HIV+ was associated with a worse response (OR, 5.72; 95%CI, 2.5-13.0; p<0.001). 5-year PFS and OS rates were 63.3% and 76.4%, respectively, with a median follow up of 66m. On multivariate analyses, older age (HR 1.06, p=0.022, 95%IC 1.01-1.11) and absence of CR at 6m (HR 3.36, p=0.007, 95%IC 1.39-8.09) were associated with inferior OS. The 5-year OS rate was 62.5% in HIV+ group compared to 78% among HIV- pts, although this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.4). PIK3CA, MET and TP53 mutations, HPV, Ki-67 expression, and PD-L1 expression, were not associated with PFS and OS.

Conclusions: Clinical stage III and HIV+ were associated with worse response to CRT at 6m. The absence of CR was the main factor associated with poor 5-year OS.

Treatment of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Anus, Unresolved Areas and Future Perspectives for Research: Perspectives of Research Needs in Anal Cancer

Anal cancer is a relatively rare, mostly HPV-related cancer. The curative treatment consists of concurrent chemoradiation delivered with modern radiotherapy techniques. The prognosis for most patients with early localized disease is very favourable; however patients with locally advanced disease and/or HPV negative tumours are at higher risk of locoregional and distant treatment failure. Tailored approaches are presently being investigated to determine the most suitable regimen in terms of radiotherapy dose prescription, target volume selection, normal tissue avoidance, and combination therapy. Metastatic anal cancer is treated with chemotherapy aiming at prolonged survival. The role of immune therapy in the clinical setting is being investigated. There is little knowledge on the biology of anal cancer, and an urgent need for more clinical and translational research dedicated to this disease. In this article, the evidence-base for the current treatment is briefly reviewed, and perspectives on future research needs are high-lighted.

How I treat anal squamous cell carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma of the anus (SCCA) is a rising health issue, strongly related to other relevant medical conditions such as (HIV) and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Correct assessment of patients with SCCA requires a multidisciplinary evaluation and adequate follow-up. Accurate local and systemic staging, as well as risk evaluation, are essential to optimal treatment planning. Early stage tumours can be definitively treated with a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, while salvage surgery is usually reserved for patients who develop local recurrence. Distant recurrence and de novo metastatic disease are associated with poorer prognosis and require palliative systemic chemotherapy, with different single agent and combination options available. Finally, recent discoveries on the carcinogenesis of SCCA have allowed the development of innovative treatment options, the most promising being immune checkpoint inhibitors. The limited systemic treatments for SCCA and low incidence of the disease, together with insufficient data from clinical research could explain the poor outcomes of these patients, which should therefore be managed in high volume centres and enrolled in clinical trials whenever possible. This article summarises the main strategies for treating patients with SCCA.

Treatment outcomes and prognostic factors after chemoradiotherapy for anal cancer

BACKGROUND

Squamous cell carcinoma of the anus (SCCA) is a rare malignancy with rising incidence, associated with human papilloma virus (HPV). Chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is the preferred treatment. The purpose was to investigate treatment failure, survival and prognostic factors after CRT.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In this prospective observational study from a large regional centre, 141 patients were included from 2013 to 2017, and 132 were eligible for analysis. The main inclusion criteria were SCCA, planned radiotherapy, and performance status (ECOG) ≤2. Patient characteristics, disease stage, treatment, and treatment response were prospectively registered. Disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), and locoregional treatment failure after CRT were analysed. Hazard ratios (HRs) were estimated with Cox`s proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

Median follow-up was 54 (range 6-71) months. Eighteen patients (14%) had treatment failures after CRT; of these 10 (8%) had residual tumour, and 8 (6%) relapse as first failure. The first treatment failure was locoregional (11 patients), distant (5 patients), and both (2 patients). Salvage abdomino-perineal resection was performed in 10 patients, 2 had resections of metastases, and 3 both. DFS was 85% at 3 years and 78% at 5 years. OS was 93% at 3 years and 86% at 5 years. In analyses adjusted for age and gender, HPV negative tumours (HR 2.5, p = 0.024), N3 disease (HR 2.6, p = 0.024), and tumour size ≥4 cm (HR 2.4, p = 0.038) were negative prognostic factors for DFS.

CONCLUSION

State-of-the-art chemoradiotherapy for SCCA resulted in excellent outcomes, and improved survival compared with previous national data, with <15% treatment failures and a 3-year DFS of >80%.

PD-1/PD-L1 expression in anal squamous intraepithelial lesions

INTRODUCTION

Studies have shown that the PD-1/PD-L1 immunomodulatory pathway slows down anti-tumor immunity in a number of cancers. The description of the expression of these molecules has never been performed in anal low-grade/high grade squamous intra-epithelial lesions (LSIL/HSIL respectively).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients followed in the AIN3 cohort were routinely sampled. For each selected sample, an immunohistochemical study was performed with anti-CD8, PD-1, PD-L1 antibodies. The presence and distribution of CD8+ lymphocytes, and the presence of PD-1+ lymphocytes and PD-L1+ epithelial cells were assessed. The comparison of these characteristics was performed between the HSIL and LSIL groups.

RESULTS

33 patients were included and 78 samples selected (60 HSIL and 18 LSIL). CD8+ lymphocytes were observed more frequently in HSIL versus LSIL in the lamina propria or intra epithelial (respectively 90% vs. 60%, p = 0.01; and 62% vs. 33%, p = 0.04). PD-1+ lymphocytes were observed more frequently in HSIL versus LSIL (41% vs 11%, p = 0.03). There was no difference between HSIL and LSIL for PD-L1+ epithelial cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Anal dysplastic lesions are accompanied by an inflammatory lymphocytic infiltrate expressing CD8 and PD-1, more frequent in high-grade lesions. These results highlight the involvement of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway in the natural history of anal dysplasia.

Sarcopenia Is Associated With Hematologic Toxicity During Chemoradiotherapy in Patients With Anal Carcinoma

Purpose

Sarcopenia, defined as a loss of muscle mass and quality, has been associated with impaired oncological outcome and treatment toxicities in several malignancies. However, its role in anal squamous cell carcinoma (ASCC) remains less well explored.

Methods/Materials

Planning CT scans were used to measure cross-sectional skeletal muscle area (SMA) to calculate the skeletal muscle index (SMI). The association of sarcopenia with clinical and treatment-related parameters, and toxicity was assessed in 114 patients with ASCC that underwent standard 5-Fluorouracil/Mitomycin C chemoradiotherapy (CRT). The prognostic impact of sarcopenia on local relapse-free survival (LRFS), disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival was examined using a Cox regression analysis.

Results

29 (25.4%) patients had sarcopenia. Patients with sarcopenia had lower baseline hemoglobin levels (p = 0.002), worse Karnofsky Performance Status (p = 0.001) lower BMI (p < 0.001), and a significantly lower body surface area (p = 0.03), and lower incidence of involved lymph nodes (p = 0.03). Regarding acute toxicity, sarcopenia was associated with a significantly higher incidence of ≥grade 3leukopenia (OR: 3.5; 95% CI: 1.6-7.5, p = 0.007) and ≥grade 3 thrombopenia (OR: 5.1; 95% CI: 1.3-21, p = 0.018) after CRT. Despite higher hematologic toxicity in sarcopenic patients, total treatment time was similar between patients with and without sarcopenia (median 44 vs 45 days, p = 0.95). There was no significant prognostic impact of sarcopenia on either LRFS, DFS, or OS.

Conclusion

This is the largest study to assess the impact of sarcopenia on toxicity and oncological outcome in patients with ASCC. Increased clinician awareness of higher hematological toxicity risk is needed for sarcopenic patients with ASCC undergoing CRT to facilitate closer monitoring of side effects and earlier introduction of supportive measures. Further prospective studies are needed to elucidate the prognostic role and impact of sarcopenia on CRT-related toxicity in ASCC.

Evaluation of the stage classification of anal cancer by the TNM 8th version versus the TNM 7th version

Background: The UICC TNM 7th edition introduced stage groups for anal cancer which in 2019 has not yet come into general use. The new TNM 8th edition from 2016 defines 7 sub-stages. Background data for these changes are lacking. We aimed to investigate whether the new classification for anal cancer reliably predict the prognosis in the different stages.Patients and methods: The Nordic Anal Cancer Group (NOAC) conducted a large retrospective study of all anal cancers in Norway, Sweden and most of Denmark in 2000-2007. From the Nordic cohort 1151 anal cancer patients with follow-up data were classified by the TNM 4th edition which has identical T, N and M definitions as the TNM 7th edition, and therefore also can be classified by the TNM 7th stage groups. We used the Nordic cohort to translate the T, N and M stages into the TNM 8th stages and sub-stages. Overall survival for each stage was assessed.Results: Although the summary stage groups for TNM 8th edition discriminates patients with different prognosis reasonably well, the analyses of the seven sub-stages show overlapping overall survival: HR for stage IIA 1.30 (95%CI 0.80-2.12) is not significantly different from stage I (p = .30) and HR for stage IIB 2.35 (95%CI 1.40-3.95) and IIIA 2.48 (95%CI 1.43-4.31) are also similar as were HRs for stage IIIB 3.41 (95%CI 1.99-5.85) and IIIC 3.22 (95%CI 1.99-5.20). Similar overlapping was shown for local recurrence and distant spread.Conclusion: The results for the sub-stages calls for a revision of the staging system. We propose a modification of the TNM 8th edition for staging of anal cancer into four stages based on the T, N and M definitions of the TNM 8th classification.

Management of anal cancer patients - a pattern of care analysis in German-speaking countries

Background

Radiotherapy dose and target volume prescriptions for anal squamous cell carcinoma (ASCC) vary considerably in daily practice and guidelines, including those from NCCN, UK, Australasian, and ESMO. We conducted a pattern-of-care survey to assess the patient management in German speaking countries.

Methods

We developed an anonymous questionnaire comprising 18 questions on diagnosis and treatment of ASCC. The survey was sent to 361 DEGRO-associated institutions, including 41 university hospitals, 118 non-university institutions, and 202 private practices.

Results

We received a total of 101 (28%) surveys, including 20 (19.8%) from university, 36 (35.6%) from non-university clinics, and 45 (44.6%) from private practices. A total of 28 (27.8%) institutions reported to treat more than 5 patients with early-stage ASCC and 42 (41.6%) institutions treat more than 5 patients with locoregionally-advanced ASCC per year.

Biopsy of suspicious inguinal nodes was advocated in only 12 (11.8%) centers. Screening for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is done in 28 (27.7%). Intensity modulated radiotherapy or similar techniques are used in 97%. The elective lymph node dose ranged from 30.6 Gy to 52.8 Gy, whereas 87% prescribed 50.4–55. 8 Gy (range: 30.6 to 59.4 Gy) to the involved lymph nodes. The dose to gross disease of cT1 or cT2 ASCC ranged from 50 to ≥60 Gy. For cT3 or cT4 tumors the target dose ranged from 54 Gy to more than 60 Gy, with 76 (75.2%) institutions prescribing 59.4 Gy. The preferred concurrent chemotherapy regimen was 5-FU/Mitomycin C, whereas 6 (6%) prescribed Capecitabine/Mitomycin C. HIV-positive patients are treated with full-dose CRT in 87 (86.1%) institutions. First assessment for clinical response is reported to be performed at 4–6 weeks after completion of CRT in 2 (2%) institutions, at 6–8 weeks in 20 (19.8%), and 79 (78%) institutions wait up to 5 months.

Conclusions

We observed marked differences in radiotherapy doses and treatment technique in patients with ASCC, and also variable approaches for patients with HIV. These data underline the need for an consensus treatment guideline for ASCC.

A mismatch repair-deficient and HPV-negative anorectal squamous cell carcinoma

Invasive primary squamous cell carcinomas involving the anorectal region are challenging to manage. Microsatellite instability has been shown to impact clinical courses and outcomes of patients affected by many types of carcinomas. To the best of our knowledge, there are no reports on microsatellite instability in anorectal squamous cell carcinomas. Here, we report a HPV-negative anorectal squamous cell carcinoma which, despite cisplatin-based chemoradiation therapy, showed progression. Interestingly, after identification of its mismatch repair-deficiency (MLH1/PMS2-absent, MSH2/MSH6-intact), pembrolizumab-based immunotherapy was initiated, leading to a marked clinical response. This unique case illustrates that microsatellite instability testing and immunotherapy targeting immune checkpoint blockade should be considered for managing anorectal squamous cell carcinomas that fail conventional chemoradiation therapies or when patients are non-surgical candidates. This report provides the first evidence of microsatellite instability in anorectal squamous cell carcinomas and supports the role for microsatellite instability testing in this cancer type to optimize patient management.

Rationale for combination of radiation therapy and immune checkpoint blockers to improve cancer treatment

Radiation therapy for cancer is considered to be immunosuppressive. However, the cellular response after radiation therapy may stimulate or suppress an immune response. The effect may vary with the tumor type and occasionally tumor regressions have been observed outside the irradiated volume, both in animal studies and in the clinic. A renewed interest in the role of immunity for the observed effect of radiation came with the current recognized role of immune checkpoint blockers (ICBs) for control of selected cancer types. We therefore here review preclinical studies and clinical reports on the interaction of ICBs and radiation as a basis for further clinical trials. Some tumor types where the combination of these modalities seems especially promising are also proposed.

Incidences and risk factors of metachronous vulvar, vaginal, and anal cancers after cervical cancer diagnosis

OBJECTIVE

To examine incidences and risk factors for metachronous vulvar, vaginal, and anal malignancies after a cervical cancer diagnosis.

METHODS

This is a retrospective study examining data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Result Program between 1973 and 2013. Cumulative incidences of vulvar, vaginal, and anal cancers after the diagnosis of cervical cancer were assessed (n = 79,050). Multivariable analysis was performed to determine independent risk factors for these metachronous cancers.

RESULTS

Vaginal cancer (20-year cumulative incidence, 0.57%) was the most common type of metachronous malignancy, followed by vulvar cancer (0.33%), and anal cancer (0.16%, P < 0.001). Median time to diagnosis was 5.4 years for vaginal cancer, 6.5 years for vulvar cancer, and 13.5 years for anal cancer. On multivariable analysis, metachronous vulvar cancer was associated with older age (hazard ratio [HR] per year 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-1.05, P < 0.001), squamous histology (HR 2.64, 95%CI 1.38-5.05, P = 0.003), and radiotherapy use (HR 2.52, 95%CI 1.66-3.84, P < 0.001); metachronous vaginal cancer was associated with older age (HR per year 1.03, 95%CI 1.02-1.04, P < 0.001) and Black race (HR 1.73, 95%CI 1.20-2.48, P = 0.003); and metachronous anal cancer was associated with older age (HR 1.03, 95%CI 1.01-1.05, P = 0.017). Overall survival of metachronous cancer was poor (5-year rates: 46.3% for vulvar, 43.0% for vaginal, and 47.5% for anal cancer, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Although rare, the rate of ano-genital cancers continues to increase over time after a cervical cancer diagnosis. Long-term follow-up and surveillance after cervical cancer treatment is therefore reasonable to detect these metachronous malignancies, particularly in those with risk factors.

A review of immune therapy in cancer and a question: can thermal therapy increase tumor response?

Immune therapy is a successful cancer treatment coming into its own. This is because checkpoint molecules, adoptive specific lymphocyte transfer and chimeric antigen T-cell (CAR-T) therapy are able to induce more durable responses in an increasing number of malignancies compared to chemotherapy. In addition, immune therapies are able to treat bulky disease, whereas standard cytotoxic therapies cannot treat large tumour burdens. Checkpoint inhibitor monoclonal antibodies are becoming widely used in the clinic and although more complex, adoptive lymphocyte transfer and CAR-T therapies show promise. We are learning that there are nuances to predicting the successful use of the checkpoint inhibitors as well as to specific-antigen adoptive and CAR-T therapies. We are also newly aware of a here-to-fore unrealised natural force, the status of the microbiome. However, despite better understanding of mechanisms of action of the new immune therapies, the best responses to the new immune therapies remain 20-30%. Likely the best way to improve this somewhat low response rate for patients is to increase the patient's own immune response. Thermal therapy is a way to do this. All forms of thermal therapy, from fever-range systemic thermal therapy, to high-temperature HIFU and even cryotherapy improve the immune response pre-clinically. It is time to test the immune therapies with thermal therapy in vivo to test for optimal timing of the combinations that will best enhance tumour response and then to begin to test the immune therapies with thermal therapy in the clinic as soon as possible.

Why Human Papillomavirus Acute Infections Matter

Most infections by human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are `acute', that is non-persistent. Yet, for HPVs, as for many other oncoviruses, there is a striking gap between our detailed understanding of chronic infections and our limited data on the early stages of infection. Here we argue that studying HPV acute infections is necessary and timely. Focusing on early interactions will help explain why certain infections are cleared while others become chronic or latent. From a molecular perspective, descriptions of immune effectors and pro-inflammatory pathways during the initial stages of infections have the potential to lead to novel treatments or to improved handling algorithms. From a dynamical perspective, adopting concepts from spatial ecology, such as meta-populations or meta-communities, can help explain why HPV acute infections sometimes last for years. Furthermore, cervical cancer screening and vaccines impose novel iatrogenic pressures on HPVs, implying that anticipating any viral evolutionary response remains essential. Finally, hints at the associations between HPV acute infections and fertility deserve further investigation given their high, worldwide prevalence. Overall, understanding asymptomatic and benign infections may be instrumental in reducing HPV virulence.