<p>The diagnosis and treatment of patients with advanced tumors in the head and neck is an interesting challenge where there is a need for new approaches in diagnostics and adjuvant treatment. Differences in antigen expression between tumors and normal tissues provide a means for application of antibody-based targeting techniques. By targeting a structure that is abundant on tumor cells and limited on normal cells, radioactivity can be delivered.</p><p>The use of positron emission tomography (PET) in patients with head and neck tumors is evaluated in this thesis. PET using the tracer fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) is found to play an important diagnostic role and often has a direct clinical impact on planned surgery or other treatment. Possible targeting structures are also investigated in this thesis, and it is concluded that the EGFR and CD44v6 stand out as possible antigens for targeting approaches of squamous cell carcinomas in the head and neck (HNSCC). A radioimmunoassay for quantification of EGFR and CD44v6 is validated and concluded to be a valuable complement to immunohistochemistry for the analysis of tumors and for the planning of radioimmunotherapy. Finally, promising results of radioimmunotherapy in tumor bearing mice with the monoclonal antibody U36 labeled with the alpha emitter astatine-211 are presented.</p><p>These results demonstrate how differences between tumors and normal tissues can be used to improve diagnostic outcomes and indicate that radioimmunotherapy can be a future adjuvant therapy or treatment of residual disease in HNSCC.</p>

The diagnosis and treatment of patients with advanced tumors in the head and neck is an interesting challenge where there is a need for new approaches in diagnostics and adjuvant treatment. Differences in antigen expression between tumors and normal tissues provide a means for application of antibody-based targeting techniques. By targeting a structure that is abundant on tumor cells and limited on normal cells, radioactivity can be delivered. The use of positron emission tomography (PET) in patients with head and neck tumors is evaluated in this thesis. PET using the tracer fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) is found to play an important diagnostic role and often has a direct clinical impact on planned surgery or other treatment. Possible targeting structures are also investigated in this thesis, and it is concluded that the EGFR and CD44v6 stand out as possible antigens for targeting approaches of squamous cell carcinomas in the head and neck (HNSCC). A radioimmunoassay for quantification of EGFR and CD44v6 is validated and concluded to be a valuable complement to immunohistochemistry for the analysis of tumors and for the planning of radioimmunotherapy. Finally, promising results of radioimmunotherapy in tumor bearing mice with the monoclonal antibody U36 labeled with the alpha emitter astatine-211 are presented. These results demonstrate how differences between tumors and normal tissues can be used to improve diagnostic outcomes and indicate that radioimmunotherapy can be a future adjuvant therapy or treatment of residual disease in HNSCC.

Antibody-based targeting techniques play an increasingly important role in cancer research. By targeting a structure that is abundant in tumour cells, but rare in healthy tissues, an antibody can mediate the delivery of radioactivity specifically to tumour cells in the body. This idea is particularly appealing for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), as the advanced stages have a large fraction of spread disease that is difficult to treat with procedures available today. In this thesis, we have investigated possible radioimmunotargeting structures for HNSCC, and found that CD44v6 is a suitable target for antibody-based radiotherapy and diagnostics in this patient group. We have identified radiohalogens as attractive nuclides for such use, and have investigated the possibility of radiohalogenating the anti CD44v6 chimeric monoclonal antibody (cMAb) U36. Several feasible labelling methods were identified, using both direct and indirect labelling. The cMAb U36 was then successfully labelled with 211At and 131I, and preclinically evaluated for therapeutic use. Results proved the astatinated conjugate to be most efficient in this context, demonstrating a specific and dose-dependent cytotoxicity. The cMAb U36 was then evaluated for diagnostic use in thyroid anaplastic carcinoma, using 124I as the diagnostic nuclide. Results in tumour-bearing mice were promising, with all of the tumours identified in micro-PET studies. These results demonstrate how antibody-based radionuclide targeting can provide more sensitive and specific methods for identifying and treating head and neck cancer, and hopefully help improve long-term survival rates for this patient group in the future.

No description available.

AIM & OBJECTIVES: Human papilloma virus (HPV) has been related to cervical infection, however, its part in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) is still debatable and is easy to refute. Suspicion of HPV causation is heightened when carcinomas arise in patients that are young and have never smoked. The present UK based study undertaken at Northampton NHS Trust endeavoured to determine the extent to which HPV is an entity in HNSCC in the UK. Furthermore, the study investigated whether sexual behaviour (as measured by sexual health clinic (SHC) attendance) is linked the acquisition of HPV associated HNSCC in young age groups. HNSCC incidences and sexual trends in the UK were collected from publicly available databases to identify if there were any changes at a national level in sexual behaviours and their influence on HNSCC in young age groups. MATERIALS & METHODS: PCR was used to evaluate the presence of HPV in biopsy samples from of 99 patients diagnosed with HNSCC at Northampton Hospital from 2006 to 2014. Patient demographics on age, sex, smoking, alcohol use and SHC attendance were also collected. All HPV PCR positive biopsies were further genotyped using an ABI 3130xl genetic analyser. Databases in the UK; including GLOBOCAN, NATSAL and PHE were searched for data on HNSCC prevalence, sexual behaviour trends and vaccine uptake. Multinomial regression explored the relationship between HPV positivity and sex, age, smoking, drinking, race and SHC attendance. RESULTS: PCR showed that 25.2% (25/99) of biopsies tested were positive for HPV and were all obtained from white participants. Most specimens (23, 92%) were high-risk (HR) HPV 16 positive with a mean age of 56 for HPV positivity and 72% of the cases 50-60 years old. Smokers were 11% in total (11/99) with most 88.9% participants (88/99) being non-smokers. HPV positivity was strongly linked with non-smoking history (p < 0.001); no alcohol abuse (p < 0.001); male gender (p < 0.001); young age less than 60 years (p < 0.001) and SHC attendance (p < 0.001). A Kruskal-Wallis post hoc test affirmed the impact of age on HPV positivity (p= < 0.05). GLOBOCAN and Cancer Research demonstrated a rising UK HNSCC pattern of over 200% for both sexes from 1975 to 2011. The three NATSAL surveys undertaken in 1990-1991, 1999-2001 and 2010-2012 demonstrated an overall increase in opposite and same sex partners. The UK average of individuals engaging in oral sex was in the younger age groups of between 16 and 54 with at least 70% of males and 63% females of that age engaging in oral sex. Finally, NASTAL 1, 2 and 3 surveys reported 20 vs 15; 25 vs 55; 55 vs 65 of males and females respectively with more than 10 sexual partners to have attended the SHC. The UK immunization take-up was over 90% countrywide. CONCLUSION: Few research studies have been conducted to date on HPV as a cause of HNSCC in the UK. The present research showed 25.2% of HNSCC to be caused by HPV, with the high risk (HR) genotype 16 (the leading cause of cervical cancer) accounting for 92% (23/25) of the cases. These outcomes affirmed the high prevalence of HR-HPV in HNSCC, with a rate of 25.2% similar to those reported previously. Routine HPV testing in those aged below 60 is therefore warranted. Smoking and drinking showed negative correlation; the young age of below 60 and attendance of the SHC for both sexes showed a positive correlation with HPV positive HNSCC. NATSAL data showed increased sexually risky behaviour coupled with attending the SHC in younger ages for both sexes. Increased sexually risky behaviour as shown in NASTAL surveys may be the reason why young age and SHC attendance is positively correlated with HPV HNSCC. The study highlights a conceivable relationship between HPV positive HNSCC in those under 60 years with no smoking history who attended the SHC. Smoking and drinking are known risks for HNSCC in those past 65 years of age; the negative association with HPV HNSCC in the young in the present research revealed smoking and drinking to have reduced association with HPV HNSCC. The reported HR-HPV positive HNSCC in young age groups inform future vaccination strategies and consequently decrease the quantity of HPV HNSCC's.

Os carcinomas de cabeça e pescoço (CECPs) compreendem um grupo de tumores que atingem vários sítios do trato aerodigestivo superior, incluindo cavidade oral, orofaringe, hipofaringe e laringe. Esses carcinomas são clinicamente heterogeneous e resultam de modificações cumulativas em genes que regulam proliferação, migração celular e apoptose. São estimados aproximadamente 500.000 novos casos de CECP anualmente no mundo. No Brasil, cerca de 14.000 novos casos são esperados em 2010, somente para cavidade oral. As taxas de morbidade e mortalidade e as limitações das estratégias terapêuticas enfatizam a necessidade de um melhor entendimento dos padrões moleculares envolvidos na iniciação e na progressão desses tumores, e de abordagens preventivas e terapêuticas efetivas. Infelizmente, apesar da intensa pesquisa nessa área, poucos marcadores moleculares são conhecidos que exibam sensibilidade e especificidade para diagnóstico e prognóstico de CECP. Em um estudo prévio, nós avaliamos dados de três bibliotecas SAGE de carcinoma de laringe com a finalidade de identificar eventos associados ao desenvolvimento e à agressividade de CECP. Utilizando abordagens estatísticas e de Bioinformática, nós identificamos 60 genes com expressão elevada ou reduzida em tumores metastáticos versus não-metastáticos e em ambos os grupos versus tecidos normais. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a expressão de quatro genes desta lista, os das queratinas 6A (KRT6A) e 19 (KRT19), da mesotelina (MSLN) e da calicreína 8 (KLK8), em um conjunto de 63 carcinomas primários de cabeça e pescoço e suas margens cirúrgicas e em quarto linhagens celulares (Hep-2, FaDu, SCC9 e UM-SSC-38) por RT-PCR em tempo real. Como amostra de referência para as linhagens, foram utilizados queratinócitos orais humanos normais, cultivados sobre uma camada de sustentação de fibroblastos irradiados. Todos os genes exibiram níveis de transcritos reduzidos ou ausentes nas linhagens celulares, exceto MSLN, que mostrou um padrão irregular de expressão. Em tumores primários, os genes KRT19 e MSLN apresentaram expressão diminuída em laringe, o mesmo sendo observado para o gene KLK8 em tumores de língua metastático. Além disso, foi detectada expressão elevada de MSLN e KLK8 em tumores não metastáticos de soalho de boca e expressão reduzida de KRT19 em tumores de soalho de boca e língua metastáticos. Os resultados levantam questões sobre o papel desses genes em processos biológicos associados com a tumorigênese de cabeça e pescoço e sobre sua participação no fenótipo neoplásico. / Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) encompass a group of tumors that affect a variety of sites in the upper aero-digestive tract, including oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx and larynx. These carcinomas are clinically heterogeneous and result from cumulative changes in genes that regulate cell proliferation, migration and death. It is estimated that approximately 500,000 new cases of HNSCC are diagnosed worldwide each year. In Brazil, about 14,000 new cases are expected in the year 2010, only in oral cavity. The morbidity and mortality rates and the limitations of therapeutic strategies emphasize the need for a better understanding of the molecular pathways involved in the initiation and progression of these tumors and for effective preventive and therapeutic approaches. Unfortunately, despite intense research, few molecular markers are known to exhibit sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis or prognosis of HNSCC. In a previous study, we evaluated data from three SAGE libraries of larynx carcinoma in order to identify events associated with the development and aggressiveness of HNSCCs. Using statistical and bioinformatic tools, we identified sixty top-up and 60 top-downregulated genes in metastatic versus non-metastatic tumors and in both these tumors versus normal tissues. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the expression of four genes from this list, keratin 6A (KRT6A), keratin 19 (KRT19), mesothelin (MSLN) and kallikrein 8 (KLK8), in a set of 63 primary carcinomas of head and neck and their surgical margins and in four cell lines (Hep-2, FaDu, SCC9 and UM-SSC-38) by real time RT-PCR. As a reference sample for cell lines, we used normal human oral keratinocytes grown on irradiated fibroblast feeder layer. All genes exhibited no or decreased levels of transcripts in the cell lines, except MSLN, which displayed an irregular pattern of expression. In primary tumors, KRT19 and MSLN genes were downregulated in larynx, and KLK8 in metastatic tongue tumors. In addition, MSLN and KLK8 were upregulated in non-metastatic floor of the mouth tumors and KRT19 was down regulated in metastatic floor of the mouth and tongue tumors. The results open questions about the role of these genes on biological processes related to head and neck tumorigenesis and on neoplastic phenotype.

Orientador: Carmen Silvia Passos Lima / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-25T23:45:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Costa_ErickaFrancislaineDiasCosta_M.pdf: 2497812 bytes, checksum: e6a45e68bd7bd5e6338b3a0c6353c3d4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: A cisplatina (CDDP) associada à radioterapia (RT) é utilizada no tratamento de portadores de carcinoma de células escamosas de cabeça e pescoço (CCECP). Já é conhecido que tanto a resposta ao tratamento como seus efeitos colaterais variam de indivíduo para indivíduo. Uma possível explicação para o fato pode ser a variabilidade genética no metabolismo da CDDP. O objetivo deste estudo é verificar se as habilidades herdadas para induzir apoptose de células danificadas, mediadas pelas enzimas P53, CASP3 e CASP9, alteram os efeitos colaterais, a concentração de CDDP urinária e a taxa de resposta à terapêutica em pacientes com CCECP. Foram avaliados, de forma prospectiva, 90 pacientes consecutivos com CCECP do Ambulatório de Oncologia Clínica do Hospital de Clínicas da UNICAMP, que receberam CDDP associada à RT como tratamento neoadjuvante, definitivo ou paliativo da doença. Os genótipos dos polimorfismos P53 Arg72Pro, CASP9 A-1263G, CASP9 C-712T e CASP3 A-928G foram analisados por meio da reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) e digestão enzimática em DNA de sangue periférico. Os efeitos colaterais ao tratamento foram graduados por meio de questionário e exames laboratoriais, de acordo com os critérios do National Cancer Institute. As toxicidades auditiva e renal foram avaliadas, respectivamente, por meio de audiometria tonal, clearance de creatinina estimado e taxa de filtração glomerular (TFG) com EDTA-51Cr, realizados antes e após o tratamento. As dosagens urinárias da CDDP foram realizadas por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência. A resposta ao tratamento foi avaliada por tomografia computadorizada de pescoço, de acordo com os critérios Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors 1.1 (RECIST 1.1) e por tomografia computadorizada por emissão de fóton único (SPECT-TC). O significado estatístico das diferenças entre grupos foi calculado pelo teste da probabilidade exata de Fisher ou qui-quadrado. A regressão logística múltipla foi feita para obter a razão das chances, e a ANOVA por transformação em postos foi realizada para medidas repetidas. O genótipo P53 72ProPro esteve associado com maior ocorrência de vômitos dos graus 2, 3 e 4 e os genótipos CASP3 -928 AA e AG estiveram associados com menor perda auditiva unilateral e menor nefrotoxicidade após terapêutica em nossos casos. Concluímos que os polimorfismos P53 Arg72Pro e CASP3 A-928G modulam os efeitos colaterais do tratamento de pacientes com CCECP com CDDP e RT, como vômitos, acuidade auditiva e nefrotoxicidade. Acreditamos que estes resultados podem contribuir para definir o tratamento personalizado futuro de pacientes com CCECP / Abstract: Cisplatin (CDDP) associated with radiotherapy (RT) is used in treatment of patients with squamous cell head and neck carcinoma (HNSCC). It is well known that both response to treatment and side effects vary among individuals. A possible explanation for this may be genetic variability in CDDP metabolism. The aim of this study was to assess if inherited ability of inducing damaged cells to apoptosis, mediated by P53, CASP3 and CASP9 enzymes, change side effects, urinary concentration of CDDP, and rate of response to therapy in HNSCC patients. We evaluated prospectively, 90 HNSCC patients of Outpatient Oncology Clinic of UNICAMP¿s Clinical Hospital, who received CDDP associated to RT as neoadjuvant, definitive or palliative treatment. Genotypes of P53 Arg72Pro, CASP9 A-1263G, CASP9 C-712T and CASP3 A-928G, polymorphisms were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction enzyme digestion of peripheral blood DNA. Treatment side effects were ranked by questionnaire and laboratory tests, according to criteria of National Cancer Institute. Hearing and renal toxicities were assessed using, respectively, audiometry, estimated creatinine clearance and EDTA-51Cr glomerular filtration rate (GFR), measured before and after treatment. CDDP Urinary dosages were measured by high performance liquid chromatography. Treatment response was assessed by computed tomography of neck, according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors 1.1 (RECIST 1.1) and by Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT-CT). Statistical significance of differences between groups was calculated by Fisher's exact probability test or chi-square. Multiple logistic regression was performed to obtain odds ratio, and ANOVA with rank-transform method was performed for repeated measures. P53 72ProPro genotype was associated with vomiting of grades 2, 3 and 4 and CASP3 -928 AA and AG genotypes were associated with lower unilateral hearing loss and lower nephrotoxicity after therapy in our cases. We conclude that P53 Arg72Pro and CASP3 A-928G polymorphisms modulate the side effects, such as vomiting, hearing thresholds decrease and nephrotoxicity, in HNSCC treated with CDDP and RT. We believe these results may contribute to definition of future personalized treatment of HNSCC patients / Mestrado / Clinica Medica / Mestra em Clínica Médica

Orientador: Carmen Silvia Passos Lima / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-26T03:53:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Nogueira_GuilhermeAugustodaSilva_M.pdf: 2742030 bytes, checksum: f23fb1e053f1302891b66643feebad7b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: A cisplatina (CDDP) associada à radioterapia (RT) é utilizada no tratamento de portadores de células escamosas de cabeça e pescoço (CCECP). Já é conhecido que tanto a resposta ao tratamento como seus efeitos colaterais variam de indivíduo para indivíduo. Uma possível explicação para o fato pode ser a variabilidade genética no metabolismo da CDDP. O objetivo deste estudo foi o de verificar se habilidades herdadas no reparo de lesões do DNA, mediadas pelas enzimas MLH1, MSH2, MSH3, e EXO1, alteram os efeitos terapêuticos, colaterais e a concentração de CDDP urinária em pacientes com CCECP. Foram avaliados, de forma prospectiva, 90 pacientes consecutivos com CCECP do Hospital de Clínicas da UNICAMP, que receberam CDDP associada à RT como tratamento neoadjuvante, definitivo ou paliativo da doença. Os genótipos dos polimorfismos MLH1 G-93A, MSH2 IVS1+9G>C, MSH3 Ala1045Thr, EXO1 Pro757Leu e EXO1 Glu589Lys foram analisados por meio da reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) e digestão enzimática ou PCR em tempo real em DNA de sangue periférico. A resposta ao tratamento foi avaliada por tomografia computadorizada do pescoço, de acordo com os critérios Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors 1.1 (RECIST 1.1). Os efeitos colaterais ao tratamento foram graduados por meio de questionário e exames laboratoriais, de acordo com os critérios do National Cancer Institute 4.0. As toxicidades renal e auditiva foram avaliadas por meio do clearance de creatinina estimado, da taxa de filtração glomerular com EDTA-51Cr e de audiometria tonal, respectivamente, medidas antes e após o tratamento. As dosagens urinárias da CDDP foram realizadas por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência. O significado estatístico das diferenças entre grupos foi calculado pelo teste da probabilidade exata de Fisher ou qui-quadrado e regressão logística múltipla. O genótipo MLH1 GG+GA esteve associado com menor ocorrência de náuseas. O genótipo MSH2 CC esteve associado com melhora da acuidade auditiva e tendência a menor excreção de CDDP na urina. Os genótipos MSH3 AlaAla+AlaThr e AlaAla estiveram associados com maior ototoxicidade e maior nefrotoxicidade, e piora da acuidade auditiva, respectivamente. O genótipo EXO1 ProLeu esteve associado com maior ototoxicidade e piora da acuidade aditiva. Os genótipos EXO1 GluLys+LysLys e LysLys estiveram associados com menor resposta completa, e piora da acuidade auditiva e tendência a nefrotoxicidade, respectivamente. Concluímos que os referidos polimorfismos, relacionados a anormalidades herdadas no reparo de DNA, podem alterar a taxa de resposta, os efeitos colaterais e a eliminação urinária de CDDP em pacientes com CCECP tratados com CDDP e RT. Acreditamos que estes resultados possam contribuir para o tratamento personalizado futuro de pacientes com o tumor / Abstract: Cisplatin (CDDP) associated with radiotherapy (RT) is used in treatment of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). It is well known that both response to treatment and side effects vary among individuals. A possible explanation for this may be the genetic variability in metabolism of CDDP. The aim of this study was to acess if inherited ability to repair DNA damage, mediated by MLH1, MSH2, MSH3 and EXO1 enzymes change the therapeutic side effects and urinary concentration of CDDP in HNSCC patients. We evaluated prospectively, 90 consecutive HNSCC patients of UNICAMP¿s Hospital, who received CDDP-associated RT as neoadjuvant, definitive or palliative treatment. Genotypes of MLH1 G-93A, MSH2 IVS1+9G>C, MSH3 Ala1045Thr, EXO1 P757L and EXO1 K589E polymorphisms were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction enzyme digestion or real-time PCR in DNA of peripheral blood. Treatment response was assessed by computed tomography of the neck, according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors 1.1. Treatment side effects were ranked through questionnaire and laboratory tests, according to the National Cancer Institute 4.0. Renal and hearing toxicities were assessed using, respectively, estimated creatinine clearance and glomerular filtration 51Cr-EDTA, and audiometry, measured before and after treatment. Urinary doses of CDDP were performed by high performance liquid chromatography. Statistical significance of differences between groups was calculated by Fisher's exact probability test or chi-square, and multiple logistic regression. MLH1 GG+GA genotype was associated with lower incidence of nausea. MSH2 CC genotype was associated with improvement of hearing acuity and tendency of lower CDDP urinary excretion. MSH3 AlaAla+AlaThr and AlaAla genotypes were associated with high ototoxicity and high nephrotoxicity, and worsening of hearing acuity, respectively. EXO1 ProLeu genotype was associated with high ototoxicity and worsening of hearing acuity. EXO1 GluLys+LysLys and LysLys genotypes were associated with lower complete response, and worsening of hearing acuity and and tendency to high nephrotoxicity, respectively. We conclude that the referred polymorphisms, related to inherited abnormalities in DNA repair, may change rate of complete response, side effects, and CDDP urinary concentration in patients with HNSCC treated with CDDP and RT. We believe that these results may contribute to the future personalized treatment of HNSCC patients / Mestrado / Fisiopatologia Médica / Mestre em Ciências

No description available.

Background: The landmark EXTREME trial established cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil and cetuximab (PFE) as first-line chemotherapy (1L-ChT) for recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC). We were interested in outcome differences of R/M HNSCC in 1L-ChT and factors influencing outcome in certain subgroups, especially patients receiving PFE, and the value of PFE compared to other 1L-ChT regimens to provide real world evidence (RWE). Methods: For this retrospective monocentric study, 124 R/M HNSCC patients without curative surgical or radiotherapy options receiving at least one cycle of 1L-ChT were eligible. We analyzed their outcome using Kaplan-Meier plot and Cox regression to identify predictors for prolonged survival. Results: Subgroups benefiting significantly from PFE were patients suffering from an index HNSCC outside the oropharynx. The PFE regimen proved to be superior to all other 1L-ChT regimens in clinical routine. Significant outcome differences between PFE treatment within or outside controlled trials were not seen. Conclusion: This retrospective analysis provides RWE for factors linked to improved outcome. Subgroup analyses highlight the lasting value of PFE among the growing spectrum of 1L-ChT. Importantly, fit smokers with high level alcohol consumption benefit from PFE; considering the patient’s lifestyle factors, PFE should not be ignored in decision-making.