Programmable bio-nanochip-based cytologic testing of oral potentially malignant disorders in Fanconi anemia.

Fanconi anemia (FA) is caused by mutations of DNA repair genes. The risk of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) among FA patients is 800-folds higher than in the general population. Early detection of OSCC, preferably at it precursor stage, is critical in FA patients to improve their survival. In an ongoing clinical trial, we are evaluating the effectiveness of the programmable bio-nanochip (p-BNC)-based oral cytology test in diagnosing oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD) in non-FA patients. We used this test to compare cytomorphometric and molecular biomarkers in OSCC cell lines derived from FA and non-FA patients to brush biopsy samples of a FA patient with OPMD and normal mucosa of healthy volunteers. Our data showed that expression patterns of molecular biomarkers were not notably different between sporadic and FA-OSCC cell lines. The p-BNC assay revealed significant differences in cytometric parameters and biomarker MCM2 expression between cytobrush samples of the FA patient and cytobrush samples of normal oral mucosa obtained from healthy volunteers. Microscopic examination of the FA patient's OPMD confirmed the presence of dysplasia. Our pilot data suggests that the p-BNC brush biopsy test recognized dysplastic oral epithelial cells in a brush biopsy sample of a FA patient.

Nasal septal abscess in patients with immunosuppression.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to review the imaging findings of nasal septal abscess in 2 patients with immunosuppression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two patients with immunosuppression were identified as having a nasal septal abscess, and correlative CT imaging in both patients was evaluated. RESULTS: The characteristic radiographic appearance of a nasal septal abscess included a fluid collection with thin rim enhancement, located within the cartilaginous nasal septum. After CT examination, incision and drainage was performed in both patients, and appropriate antibiotic coverage was initiated. Clinical and imaging follow-up demonstrated no signs of residual infection. CONCLUSION: Nasal septal abscess has a characteristic appearance on CT examination. Prompt diagnosis and treatment, including incision and drainage and appropriate antibiotic coverage, are necessary to avoid serious complications.

Detection and diagnosis of oral neoplasia with an optical coherence microscope.

The use of high resolution, in vivo optical imaging may offer a clinically useful adjunct to standard histopathologic techniques. A pilot study was performed to investigate the diagnostic capabilities of optical coherence microscopy (OCM) to discriminate between normal and abnormal oral tissue. Our objective is to determine whether OCM, a technique combining the subcellular resolution of confocal microscopy with the coherence gating and heterodyne detection of optical coherence tomography, has the same ability as confocal microscopy to detect morphological changes present in precancers of the epithelium while providing superior penetration depths. We report our results using OCM to characterize the features of normal and neoplastic oral mucosa excised from 13 subjects. Specifically, we use optical coherence and confocal microscopic images obtained from human oral biopsy specimens at various depths from the mucosal surface to examine the optical properties that distinguish normal and neoplastic oral mucosa. An analysis of penetration depths achieved by the OCM and its associated confocal arm found that the OCM consistently imaged more deeply. Extraction of scattering coefficients from reflected nuclear intensity is successful in nonhyperkeratotic layers and shows differentiation between scattering properties of normal and dysplastic epithelium and invasive cancer.

Molecular imaging of carcinogenesis with immuno-targeted nanoparticles.

Molecular characterization of cancer could have important clinical benefits such as earlier cancer detection based on molecular characterization, the ability to predict the risk of cancer progression, real time margin detection, the ability to rationally select molecular therapy and to monitor response to the therapy. We present a new class of molecular specific contrast agents for optical imaging of carcinogenesis in vivo - gold nanoparticles conjugated with monoclonal antibodies specific for cancer biomarkers.

Optical systems for in vivo molecular imaging of cancer.

Progress toward a molecular characterization of cancer would have important clinical benefits; thus, there is an important need to image the molecular features of cancer in vivo. In this paper, we describe a comprehensive strategy to develop inexpensive, rugged and portable optical imaging systems for molecular imaging of cancer, which couples the development of optically active contrast agents with advances in functional genomics of cancer. We describe initial results obtained using optically active contrast agents to image the expression of three well known molecular signatures of neoplasia: including over expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), matrix metallo-proteases (MMPs), and oncoproteins associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. At the same time, we are developing inexpensive, portable optical systems to image the morphologic and molecular signatures of neoplasia noninvasively in real time. These real-time, portable, inexpensive systems can provide tools to characterize the molecular features of cancer in vivo.

Functional expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB in Hodgkin disease cell lines.

The malignant Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg (H/RS) cells of Hodgkin disease (HD) express several members of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor family, including CD30 and CD40, and secrete several cytokines and chemokines. However, little is known about what regulates cytokine and chemokine secretion in H/RS cells. Although H/RS cells are predominantly of B-cell origin, they frequently share phenotypic and functional features with dendritic cells (DCs). Previous studies reported that receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) (RANK), a member of the TNF receptor family, is expressed on DCs, and that RANK ligand (RANKL) enhances DC survival and induces them to secrete cytokines. This study reports that, similar to DCs, cultured H/RS cells expressed RANK. However, unlike DCs, H/RS cells also expressed RANKL. Soluble RANKL activated NF-kappaB and induced messenger RNA expression of interferon-gamma, interleukin-8 (IL-8), IL-13, IL-9, IL-15, and RANTES, in addition to the receptors for IL-9, IL-13, IL-15, and CCR4. RANKL increased IL-8 and IL-13 levels in the supernatants of H/RS cell lines, an effect that was blocked by soluble RANK. Furthermore, soluble RANK decreased the basal level of IL-8 in one cell line, suggesting that IL-8 was induced by an autocrine RANKL/RANK loop. RANKL had no effect on H/RS cell survival in culture, and it did not modulate the expression of bcl-2, bcl-xL, bax, or inhibitors of apoptosis proteins. These data provide evidence of further functional similarities between DCs and H/RS cells. The coexpression of RANK and RANKL in H/RS cells suggests that they may regulate cytokine and chemokine secretion in H/RS cells by an autocrine mechanism.

Can positron emission tomography improve the quality of care for head-and-neck cancer patients?

PURPOSE: Fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) is a functional imaging modality that measures the relative uptake of 18FDG with PET. The purpose of this review is to assess the potential contribution of FDG-PET scans to the treatment of head-and-neck cancer patients. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Data were assessed from the literature with attention to what additional information may be gained from the use of FDG-PET in four clinical settings: (1) detection of occult metastatic disease in the neck, (2) detection of occult primaries in patients with neck metastases, (3) detection of synchronous primaries or metastatic disease in the chest, and (4) detection of residual/recurrent locoregional disease. RESULTS: Although the data are somewhat conflicting, FDG-PET appears to add little additional value to the physical examination and conventional imaging studies (supplemented by biopsy when appropriate) for the detection of subclinical nodal metastases, unknown primaries, or disease in the chest. However, FDG-PET scans are quite useful in differentiating residual/recurrent disease from treatment-induced normal tissue changes. A positive FDG-PET scan at 1 month after radiotherapy is highly indicative of the presence of residual disease, and a negative scan at 4 months after treatment is highly predictive of tumor eradication. CONCLUSIONS: Large-scale studies using newer generation equipment and more defined methods are needed to more rigorously assess the potential of FDG-PET in the detection of subclinical primary or simultaneous secondary tumors and of nodal or systemic spread. Currently, however, FDG-PET can contribute to the detection of residual/early recurrent tumors, leading to the timely institution of salvage therapy or the prevention of unnecessary biopsies of irradiated tissues, which may aggravate injury.

Combined interferon-alfa, 13-cis-retinoic acid, and alpha-tocopherol in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: novel bioadjuvant phase II trial.

PURPOSE: Retinoids and interferons (IFNs) have single-agent and synergistic combined effects in modulating cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis in vitro and clinical activity in vivo in the head and neck and other sites. Alpha-tocopherol has chemopreventive activity in the head and neck and may decrease 13-cis-retinoic acid (13-cRA) toxicity. We designed the present phase II adjuvant trial to prevent recurrence or second primary tumors (SPTs) using 13-cRA, IFN-alpha, and alpha-tocopherol in locally advanced-stage head and neck cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: After definitive local treatment with surgery, radiotherapy, or both, patients with locally advanced SCCHN were treated with 13-cRA (50 mg/m(2)/d, orally, daily), IFN-alpha (3 x 10(6) IU/m(2), subcutaneous injection, three times a week), and alpha-tocopherol (1,200 IU/d, orally, daily) for 12 months, with a dose modification. Screening for recurrence or SPTs was performed every 3 months. RESULTS: Tumors of 11 (24%) of the 45 treated patients were stage III, and 34 (76%) were stage IV. Thirty-eight (86%) of 44 patients completed the full 12-month treatment (doses modified as needed). Toxicity generally was consistent with previous IFN and 13-cRA reports and included mild to moderate mucocutaneous and flu-like symptoms; occasional significant fatigue (grade 3 in 7% of patients), mild to moderate hypertriglyceridemia in 30% of patients who continued treatment along with antilipid therapy, and mild hematologic side effects. Six patients did not complete the planned treatment because of intolerable toxicity or social problems. At a median 24-months of follow-up, our clinical end point rates were 9% for local/regional recurrence (four patients), 5% for local/regional recurrence and distant metastases (two patients), and 2% for SPT (one patient), which was acute promyelocytic leukemia (ie, not of the upper aerodigestive tract). Median 1- and 2-year rates of overall survival were 98% and 91%, respectively, and of disease-free survival were 91% and 84%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The novel biologic agent combination of IFN-alpha, 13-cRA, and alpha-tocopherol was generally well tolerated and promising as adjuvant therapy for locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. We are currently conducting a phase III randomized study of this combination (v no treatment) to confirm these phase II study results.

Merkel cell carcinoma of the head and neck: effect of surgical excision and radiation on recurrence and survival.

BACKGROUND: Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare malignant neoplasm of the skin that most often arises in the head and neck region. Despite the innocuous appearance of the primary lesion, Merkel cell carcinoma often has an aggressive clinical course with frequent locoregional recurrences and distant metastases. We evaluated the association of the width of surgical margins and the use of postoperative radiation therapy with locoregional control and survival rates. METHODS: The medical records of 66 patients with head and neck Merkel cell carcinoma seen between 1945 and 1995 were retrospectively reviewed. The Fisher exact test was used to compare outcomes. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were constructed. RESULTS: Eighteen patients for whom there was adequate information were divided into the following groups according to the width of their surgical margins: smaller than 1 cm, 1 to 2 cm, and larger than 2 cm. No statistical difference in locoregional control or survival was found among these groups owing to the small patient population. In contrast, a comparison of the patients who did (n = 26) and did not (n = 34) receive postoperative radiation therapy revealed a significant difference in local (3 [12%] vs 15 [44%], respectively; P<.01) and regional (7 [27%] vs 29 [85%], respectively; P<.01) recurrence rates. There was, however, no significant difference in the disease-specific survival between these groups (P = .30). Distant disease developed in 36% of all patients regardless of therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Any effect of the width of surgical margins on outcome was not detectable in the small number of patients analyzed. The use of postoperative radiation therapy was associated with a significant improvement in locoregional control. There was no detectable influence of the type of initial therapy on the rates of distant metastases or on survival. Future therapeutic innovations should be directed toward controlling the development of distant metastases in patients with Merkel cell carcinoma.

The pterygopalatine fossa: postoperative MR imaging appearance.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The pterygopalatine fossa (PPF) is an important anatomic location of the deep portion of the face. It is essential to review this area on both pre- and posttreatment studies of head and neck malignancies to assess local extent of disease or recurrence and perineural tumor spread. The purpose of this study was to review the postoperative appearance of the PPF on MR images. METHODS: Imaging and clinical data of 10 patients who underwent surgical resection of tumor in which the PPF was violated at surgery were reviewed. Patients were included in the study if there was no imaging or clinical evidence of tumor in the PPF pre- or postoperatively. Postoperative MR studies were examined to assess the appearance of the PPF. RESULTS: The PPF is consistently and persistently abnormal after surgical violation. There is loss of the normal T1 signal hyperintensity and abnormal, increased contrast enhancement, as seen on fat-suppressed T1-weighted images. These postoperative changes are strikingly similar to those of tumor involvement. CONCLUSION: After surgical violation, the PPF will always appear abnormal on MR images, and the expected imaging findings must be recognized to avoid the misdiagnosis of tumor recurrence.

Loss of imprinting and genetic alterations of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p57KIP2 gene in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

The p57KIP2 is a maternally expressed and paternally imprinted cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor located on chromosome 11p15.5. Because of its location, biochemical functions, and imprinting status, p57KIP2 has been considered a candidate tumor suppressor gene. To determine, for the first time, the involvement of this gene in the development of head and neck squamous carcinoma (HNSC), we analyzed the imprinting and expression status and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) within the p57KIP2 gene flanking loci on the 11p15.5 region in 64 primary untreated tumors. Of the 30 (47%) informative cases for this gene, loss of imprinting and LOH were noted in 4 (13%) and 10 tumors (33%), respectively. Analysis of the microsatellite markers flanking the p57KIP2 gene on chromosome 11p showed infrequent alterations at these loci. p57KIP2 was expressed in all tumors with LOH within and around the gene. Quantitative reverse transcription-PCR analysis showed elevated p57 mRNA expression in tumor with loss of imprinting. Sequencing analysis of exons 1 and 2 of the p57KIP gene failed to detect any mutations. Our data indicate: (a) infrequent genomic abnormalities at the p57KIP2 gene in HNSC; (b) leaky or incomplete imprinting of the paternal allele is associated with increased expression of this gene in a subset of tumors; and (c) minimal evidence for suppressor function for this gene in HNSC.

a controlled trial of intratumoral ONYX-015, a selectively-replicating adenovirus, in combination with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil in patients with recurrent head and neck cancer.

ONYX-015 is an adenovirus with the E1B 55-kDa gene deleted, engineered to selectively replicate in and lyse p53-deficient cancer cells while sparing normal cells. Although ONYX-015 and chemotherapy have demonstrated anti-tumoral activity in patients with recurrent head and neck cancer, disease recurs rapidly with either therapy alone. We undertook a phase II trial of a combination of intratumoral ONYX-015 injection with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil in patients with recurrent squamous cell cancer of the head and neck. There were substantial objective responses, including a high proportion of complete responses. By 6 months, none of the responding tumors had progressed, whereas all non-injected tumors treated with chemotherapy alone had progressed. The toxic effects that occurred were acceptable. Tumor biopsies obtained after treatment showed tumor-selective viral replication and necrosis induction.

Prognostic factors for survival in malignant melanoma of the eyelid skin.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the prognostic factors for survival and disease-free interval for malignant melanoma of the eyelid skin. METHODS: This was a retrospective, nonrandomized, clinical review. Twenty-four patients with eyelid skin melanoma were identified through a search of the tumor registry at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. Patients were treated between 1953 and 1994. The follow-up ranged from 3 to 18 years (mean = 9.6 years). Primary treatment in all cases entailed wide local excision of the tumor. Patients in whom regional lymph node metastasis developed underwent parotidectomy or neck dissection, with or without adjuvant chemotherapy or external beam radiation. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the patients. Survival analysis in terms of disease-free survival and recurrence-free survival was performed using age, sex, location of tumor (upper lid, lower lid, or both), histologic type of melanoma, Breslow thickness, and Clark's level as independent variables for survival. RESULTS: Age, sex, location, and the histologic type of tumor were not significant prognostic indicators for survival in this cohort. Clark's level > or = IV by itself was a statistically significant predictor of decreased survival. In addition, tumors with either Clark's level > or = IV or Breslow thickness > or = 1.5 mm were associated with increased mortality. CONCLUSION: Clark's level > or = IV or Breslow thickness > or = 1.5 mm are poor prognostic indicators for malignant melanomas of the eyelid skin. Clinicians should have a high level of suspicion for occult regional lymph node metastasis when treating patients with these tumor features.

Optimal excitation wavelengths for in vivo detection of oral neoplasia using fluorescence spectroscopy.

There is no satisfactory mechanism to detect premalignant lesions in the upper aero-digestive tract. Fluorescence spectroscopy has potential to bridge the gap between clinical examination and invasive biopsy; however, optimal excitation wavelengths have not yet been determined. The goals of this study were to determine optimal excitation-emission wavelength combinations to discriminate normal and precancerous/cancerous tissue, and estimate the performance of algorithms based on fluorescence. Fluorescence excitation-emission matrices (EEM) were measured in vivo from 62 sites in nine normal volunteers and 11 patients with a known or suspected premalignant or malignant oral cavity lesion. Using these data as a training set, algorithms were developed based on combinations of emission spectra at various excitation wavelengths to determine which excitation wavelengths contained the most diagnostic information. A second validation set of fluorescence EEM was measured in vivo from 281 sites in 56 normal volunteers and three patients with a known or suspected premalignant or malignant oral cavity lesion. Algorithms developed in the training set were applied without change to data from the validation set to obtain an unbiased estimate of algorithm performance. Optimal excitation wavelengths for detection of oral neoplasia were 350, 380 and 400 nm. Using only a single emission wavelength of 472 nm, and 350 and 400 nm excitation, algorithm performance in the training set was 90% sensitivity and 88% specificity and in the validation set was 100% sensitivity, 98% specificity. These results suggest that fluorescence spectroscopy can provide a simple, objective tool to improve in vivo identification of oral cavity neoplasia.

Effects of sodium butyrate on growth, differentiation, and apoptosis in head and neck squamous carcinoma cell lines.

BACKGROUND: Biologic agents that reverse early changes in the aerodigestive tract mucosa have potential treatment applications for patients with field cancerization of the upper aerodigestive tract. Sodium butyrate (BA) is a normal dietary constituent that induces differentiation and inhibits growth in several malignant cell types in vitro, but its effect on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has not been evaluated. METHODS: Using five HNSCC cell lines, the effects of BA on cell proliferation and apoptosis were examined by colorimetric and fluorescence-labeling methods, and the expression of differentiation markers and apoptosis-related proteins were analyzed using Western and Northern blotting, flow cytometry, and cell cycle analysis. RESULTS: BA-induced growth inhibition and apoptosis in HNSCC cells at millimolar concentrations. Apoptosis induction did not depend on the p53 status of the cell lines or on expression of members of the Bcl-2/Bax family. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that butyrate has activity against HNSCC in vitro and may have clinical applications for management of HNSCC patients.

Experience with Barton button and peristomal breathing valve attachments for hands-free tracheoesophageal speech.

BACKGROUND: Tracheostoma breathing valves permit hands-free tracheoesophageal (TE) speech production; however, few laryngectomees routinely use them because of problems with attachment. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 45 TE speakers to determine the success rate and factors associated with successful breathing valve use based on attachment. All patients attempted to use a tracheostoma breathing valve with either a standard or customized peristomal housing, or a standard or customized Barton button. Device selection was based on inspection of the patient's neck and peristomal contour. Six to eight consecutive hours of attachment defined success. RESULTS: Overall, 9% of subjects succeeded with any peristomal attachment as compared to 68% with either a standard (57%) or customized (85%) Barton button. Smooth stomal contour, a contiguous stomal lip, and correct button length were important for successful Barton button use. CONCLUSIONS: Standard or customized Barton buttons offer excellent alternatives to peristomal housing attachments for hands-free TE speech in select patients.

Biochemoprevention for dysplastic lesions of the upper aerodigestive tract.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and secondarily the toxic effects of biochemopreventive therapy (high-dose isotretinoin [13-cis-retinoic acid], alpha-tocopherol, and interferon alfa) in the reversal of advanced premalignant lesions of the upper aerodigestive tract and to correlate the therapeutic events with modulation of biomarkers. DESIGN: Prospective, nonrandomized chemoprevention trial. SETTING: Tertiary cancer care referral center and ambulatory care. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-six patients with advanced premalignant lesions of the upper aerodigestive tract, without cancer during the 2 years before the intervention, with evaluable lesions, and without retinoid therapy for 3 months before the trial. INTERVENTION: Administration of oral isotretinoin (100 mg/m2 per day), oral alpha-tocopherol (1200 IU/d), and subcutaneous interferon alfa (3 megaunits per square meter twice weekly) for 12 months, with serial biopsies and clinical examination at 0, 6, 12, and 18 months from study start. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical and histologic responses to the intervention. RESULTS: Of the 36 patients, evaluation was possible in 30 for response at 6 months and in 21 at 12 months. At 6 months, there were 10 pathologic complete responses and 7 partial responses; at 12 months, 7 complete and 3 partial responses. A striking difference in response was observed in favor of laryngeal lesions (9/19 [47%] complete response rate at 6 months and 7/14 [50%] at 12 months vs 1/11 [9%] and 0/7 [0%], respectively, for oral lesions). Toxic effects were acceptable and did not exceed grade 3. CONCLUSION: Biochemoprevention is a promising biologic approach for laryngeal dysplasia and needs to be investigated further.

Surgical management of laryngotracheal and esophageal involvement by locally advanced thyroid cancer.

Well-differentiated thyroid cancer usually progresses slowly and rarely invades other tissues. However, the rare cases with invasion of local structures, such as the larynx, trachea, or esophagus, present particular management difficulties. In situations with limited involvement of the larynx or trachea, there is controversy over whether a "shave excision" that may leave microscopic disease at the site, or a complete resection that includes removal of a portion of these structures is the better approach. In the case of more extensive involvement of upper aerodigestive tract structures by thyroid carcinomas, the most appropriate method of resection and reconstruction is also at issue. We discuss the literature pertaining to the surgical management of laryngotracheal and esophageal invasion by thyroid carcinoma, review the incidence and presentation of this disease, and make recommendations based on our own experience.

Noninvasive diagnosis of oral neoplasia based on fluorescence spectroscopy and native tissue autofluorescence.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical potential of fluorescence spectroscopy (a noninvasive technique for assessing the chemical and morphologic composition of tissue) for in vivo detection of oral cavity neoplasia. DESIGN: A fluorescence spectroscopy system recorded spectra from oral cavity sites in 8 healthy volunteers and in 15 patients with premalignant or malignant oral cavity lesions at 337-, 365-, and 410-nm excitation wavelengths in the emission range of 350 to 700 nm. Fluorescence peak intensities and spectral line shapes were compared and diagnostic algorithms were developed to distinguish normal sites from abnormal sites. SETTING: The head and neck cancer clinic at a tertiary referral center in Houston, Tex. RESULTS: Differences were found in spectra from normal, dysplastic, and malignant oral mucosa. The fluorescence intensity of normal mucosa was greater than that of abnormal areas. In addition, the ratio of red region (635-nm) to blue region (455-490-nm) intensities was greater in abnormal areas. Diagnostic discrimination was achieved when test site spectra were compared with spectra from a normal site in the same patient. One diagnostic algorithm based on spectra at 337 nm gave a sensitivity of 88% and a specificity of 100%. CONCLUSIONS: Consistent differences exist between the fluorescence spectra of abnormal and normal oral mucosa. Therefore, fluorescence spectroscopy has the potential to improve the noninvasive diagnosis of oral cavity neoplasia. Further studies will better define the role of this technique in the detection of premalignant and early oral cancer lesions.