ABSTRACT
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth cancer on incidence worldwide. Tobacco and alcohol consumption are the most classical risk factors associated with its development. Autophagy process has a dual effect both in tumourigenesis and tumour suppressing activity. To investigate the importance of this pathway in HNSCC susceptibility, a risk factor matched case-control association study was performed with four candidate polymorphisms in autophagy genes (ATG2B, ATG5, ATG10, ATG16L1). We found an association between the variant in ATG10 rs1864183 and a higher susceptibility to develop laryngeal cancer, ATG2B rs3759601 and pharyngeal cancer and ATG16L1 rs2241880 and oral carcinoma. ATG5 rs2245214 SNP was not associated with any location. Overall, our results indicate the importance of the autophagy pathway in the susceptibility of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and demonstrate the heterogeneity between its locations encompassed under a single terminology.
Subject(s)
Autophagy-Related Proteins/genetics , Genetic Association Studies/methods , Head and Neck Neoplasms/genetics , Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide , Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck/genetics , Adult , Aged , Autophagy-Related Protein 5/genetics , Case-Control Studies , Genetic Predisposition to Disease , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Spain , Vesicular Transport Proteins/geneticsABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: To date, there are no guidelines for a rational and more favourable sequence of treatment after docetaxel. Two drugs (cabazitaxel and abiraterone) have recently been approved as second-line treatment after docetaxel failure in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), but there are no studies comparing abiraterone versus cabazitaxel. The most suitable drug is chosen based on the physician's opinion and the patient's characteristics. In patients with a good performance status who are able to receive either treatment, it would be convenient to begin with cabazitaxel and to reserve abiraterone in case there is a worsening of the general status, in consideration of abiraterone's more favourable toxicity profile. CASE REPORT: We describe the case of a 74-year-old male with mCRPC who presented with an interesting and uncommon tumour dissemination (pleuropulmonary) occurring after the first standard treatment with docetaxel. Intravenous treatment with cabazitaxel 25 mg/m(2) and oral prednisone 10 mg continuously was initiated. The patient received a total of 8 cycles of chemotherapy. A reduction of mediastinal adenopathies and infrarenal para-aortic stable bone involvement and an absence of pleural effusion were observed. No relevant toxicity was noted. Since February 2012, a progressive PSA increase without clinical deterioration has been noted. CONCLUSIONS: The selection criteria for second- and third-line systemic treatment and the excellent response obtained with cabazitaxel in an unusual disease setting are described. The results confirm the long duration and quality of response of cabazitaxel treatment. Further therapeutic options in this group of patients are suggested.
