All articles tagged with #head and neck cancer
Head and neck cancers, especially oral cavity and pharynx, are rising in the U.S. and globally, with HPV now a leading risk factor. Prevention centers on HPV vaccination (two doses at 11–12 years, can start 9–26, approved up to 45) and lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking and reducing alcohol use, which substantially lower risk. There is no broad screening, and five-year survival is about 70%.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania developed a bioengineered chewing gum based on lablab bean gum that carries antiviral FRIL and antimicrobial protegrin. In ex vivo studies with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients, the gum extracts reduced cancer-associated microbes—HPV by up to 93% in saliva and 80% in oral rinse—and, with protegrin, brought the harmful bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum close to zero while preserving beneficial oral bacteria. The findings suggest a low-cost, accessible adjuvant or preventive therapy that could complement existing treatments or help prevent infection and transmission to curb oral cancer progression, with results published in Scientific Reports.
Researchers have developed a chewing gum made from lablab bean proteins that could help fight head and neck cancer by reducing oral microbes linked to the disease. In ex vivo tests, the gum lowered HPV levels by about 93% in saliva, and when bioengineered to include an antimicrobial peptide, it nearly eliminated Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum without disturbing beneficial mouth bacteria. The approach targets infection locally at the site of cancer risk and could complement existing therapies. Trials are being planned in London and at the University of Pennsylvania in the U.S. to evaluate its effectiveness in HNSCC patients.
Fort Worth chef Jon Bonnell, now cancer-free after treatments for head and neck cancer, is urging widespread HPV vaccination, arguing that vaccinating one generation could nearly eliminate cervical cancer and substantially reduce head-and-neck cancers, with international examples from Australia and Europe cited as evidence.
India is experiencing a rising trend of head and neck cancers, particularly oral cancer, among young people in their 20s and 30s, driven by lifestyle factors such as tobacco use, alcohol, poor oral hygiene, HPV infection, and stress. Early detection and preventive measures like awareness, screening, and regulation of carcinogenic products are crucial to combat this preventable health crisis.
A new blood test called HPV-DeepSeek can detect HPV-related head and neck cancers up to 10 years before symptoms appear, potentially enabling earlier treatment and better outcomes.
Research suggests that moderate daily consumption of tea and coffee may reduce the risk of head and neck cancers, possibly due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds, though excessive tea intake might increase certain risks. The study highlights the potential health benefits of these beverages, emphasizing moderation and the importance of overall healthy lifestyle choices.
A new blood test called HPV-DeepSeek can detect HPV-associated head and neck cancers up to 10 years before symptoms appear, potentially enabling earlier treatment and better outcomes.
Head and neck cancers are increasingly affecting non-smokers due to factors like HPV infection, pollution, poor oral hygiene, and environmental exposures, highlighting the need for awareness, early diagnosis, and HPV vaccination.
The FDA has approved Merck's KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) for perioperative treatment of resectable locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma expressing PD-L1, based on trial data showing a 30% reduction in event-free survival events, potentially shifting treatment standards for this cancer type.
Recent studies presented at ASCO show that immunotherapy drugs like Opdivo, Imfinzi, and Tecentriq are effective in treating early and mid-stage cancers, significantly reducing recurrence rates and potentially transforming standard care practices for cancers such as head and neck, gastric, and colon cancers, with promising implications for patient survival and cure rates.
A groundbreaking clinical trial shows that an immunotherapy drug, pembrolizumab, doubles the time head and neck cancer patients remain cancer-free, offering new hope for a difficult-to-treat cancer, with promising results suggesting it should be made available on the NHS.
A groundbreaking clinical trial shows that the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab can double the time head and neck cancer patients remain cancer-free compared to standard treatments, offering new hope for improved outcomes in these patients.
A new analysis of over 3.4 million people shows that vaccinating boys and men against HPV significantly reduces their risk of head and neck cancers and other malignancies, extending the known benefits of the vaccine beyond cervical cancer prevention in women. The study highlights the importance of HPV vaccination for both genders, with vaccinated males showing notably lower rates of HPV-related cancers.
New research suggests that the HPV vaccine significantly reduces the risk of head and neck cancers in men, with vaccinated males showing a 54% lower risk of HPV-related cancers. The study, which analyzed health records of nearly 3.5 million people, highlights the importance of HPV vaccination for both males and females in preventing various cancers. The findings will be presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology conference.