Potential biomarkers for paclitaxel sensitivity in hypopharynx cancer cell

Paclitaxel has been proved to be active in treatment and larynx preservation of HNSCC, however, the fact that about 20-40% patients do not respond to paclitaxel makes it urgent to figure out the biomarkers for paclitaxel-based treatment in Hypopharynx cancer (HPC) patients to improve the therapy effect. In this work, Fadu cells, treated or untreated with low dose of paclitaxel for 24 h, were applied to DNA microarray chips. The differential expression in mRNAs and miRs was analyzed and the network between expression-altered mRNAs and miRs was constructed. Differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in superpathway of cholesterol biosynthesis (ACAT2, MSMO1, LSS, FDFT1 and FDPS etc.), complement system (C3, C1R, C1S, CFR and CFB etc.), interferon signaling (IFIT1, IFIT3, IFITM1 and MX1 etc.), mTOR signaling (MRAS, PRKAA2, PLD1, RND3 and EIF4A1 etc.) and IGF1 signaling (MRAS, IGFBP7, JUN and FOS etc.), most of these pathways are implicated in tumorigenesis or chemotherapy resistance. The first three pathways were predicted to be suppressed, while the last two pathways were predicted to be induced by paclitaxel, suggesting the combination therapy with mTOR inhibition and paclitaxel might be better than single one. The dramatically expression-altered miRs were miR-112, miR-7, miR-1304, miR-222*, miR-29b-1* (these five miRs were upregulated) and miR-210 (downregulated). The 26 putative target genes mediated by the 6 miRs were figured out and the miR-gene network was constructed. Furthermore, immunoblotting assay showed that ERK signaling in Fadu cells was active by low dose of paclitaxel but repressed by high dose of paclitaxel. Collectively, our data would provide potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for paclitaxel-based therapy in HPC patients.     

Clinicopathological characteristics of abnormal micro-lesions at the oro-hypopharynx detected by a magnifying narrow band imaging system

Background: Narrow band imaging (NBI) with magnifying endoscopy (NBI‐ME) allows the detection of abnormal micro‐lesions smaller than 5 mm in diameter in the oro‐hypopharynx that could not be visualized previously. The purpose of the present study was to clarify the clinicopathological characteristics of abnormal micro‐lesions of the oro‐hypopharynx detected by NBI‐ME Methods: Of the 62 lesions detected by NBI‐ME, 40 abnormal micro‐lesions in 37 patients were removed by endoscopic treatment and were pathologically evaluated. We reviewed the medical records of patients with these lesions and investigated the relationship between NBI‐ME findings and pathological findings. Results: Pathological examination revealed the following: high‐grade intraepithelial neoplasia (HGIN) in nine (23%) lesions, low‐grade intraepithelial neoplasia (LGIN) in 22 (55%), pharyngitis in seven (18%) and papilloma in two (5%). Two NBI‐ME findings, high microvascular density (MVD) and a brownish area (BA), were recognized more frequently as the grade of malignancy advanced. The likelihood ratio (confidential interval) for having HGIN in the patients with both MVD and BA was 13 (3.62–127). Conclusions: The pathological diagnosis of abnormal micro‐lesions ranged from pharyngitis to HGIN. High MVD and BA may be important findings for grading the malignancy of abnormal micro‐lesions.     

Association of BMI-1 and p16 as prognostic factors for head and neck carcinomas

Conclusions BMI-1 is an upstream repressor of tumor suppressor p16 and their inverse expression patterns have been linked with patient survival in OPSCC. In this material only p16 remained a relevant prognostic marker in OPSCC.

Objectives HNSCC tumors carry variable phenotypes and clinical outcomes depending on their anatomical location. In OPSCC, expression of tumor suppressor p16 is used as a surrogate marker of HPV infection and has prognostic value. There are no good prognostic biomarkers for HNSCC tumors of other anatomical locations.

Aim To study the expression patterns of p16 and BMI-1 in not only oropharyngeal but also oral, hypopharyngeal, and laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas and to clarify their putative connections with clinical parameters, survival, and each other.

Method Hospital records on 130 patients (59 OPSCC, 18 OSCC, 20 HPSCC, and 33 LSCC) diagnosed between 1997–2008 at the Helsinki University Hospital, Finland, were reviewed. BMI-1 and p16 expressions were studied by immunohistochemistry.

Results Sixty-eight per cent of OPSCC expressed p16 and expression correlated with lower age, lower T- and higher N-category, and with improved OS and DFS. BMI-1 expression was most prevalent in OPSCC and LSCC, but had no clinical correlations. No correlation between p16 and BMI-1 expression was found.     

Crohn's disease: a rare cause of upper airway obstruction

Although uncommon, lesions of Crohn’s disease can involve the hypopharynx and lower respiratory tract. We describe a patient with partial airway obstruction secondary to Crohn’s disease of the hypopharynx and larynx. This entity should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting to the Emergency Department with upper airway obstruction.     

胃镜下切除下咽内翻性乳头状瘤1例报告

本文报道了复旦大学附属中山医院收治的1例下咽内翻性乳头状瘤病例。患者老年女性，以进行性吞咽困难伴呕吐2周为主诉入院，行喉探查及活检术，术后病理确诊为下咽内翻性乳头状瘤，并在胃镜下切除病变。术后随访半年，患者恢复情况良好，进食通畅，目前未发现复发。