Occurrence of salivary gland tumours in two patients treated with biological agents

The Impact of Inflammation on the Etiopathogenesis of Benign Salivary Gland Tumors: A Scoping Review

Salivary gland tumors are rare head and neck tumors constituting up to 6% of all head and neck neoplasms; despite being mostly benign, these tumors present in diverse histological subtypes, making them challenging to diagnose and treat. Our research aims to investigate the link between inflammation and tumorigenesis within the salivary glands based on the literature regarding the etiopathogenesis of benign salivary gland tumors. This scoping review was conducted following the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews and reporting guidelines. The search was conducted using the Pubmed and Embase databases. Articles published between 2004 and May 2024 were included in the review. A total of 1097 papers were collected and identified. After 271 duplicates were removed, 826 titles and abstracts were independently reviewed by two researchers. Based on the title and abstract, 735 citations were excluded, and 91 articles were assessed for eligibility. Data were extracted from 46 articles that met the inclusion criteria. The review highlights the significance of inflammation-related factors and its relations with benign salivary gland tumors (SGTs). Knowledge of the etiopathogenesis of these tumors remains insufficient, and their rich immunological background poses challenges in diagnosis. The findings also point to directions for further clinical research, which will be necessary to implement these molecules in clinical practice.

Systemic Inflammatory Disorders, Immunosuppressive Treatment and Increase Risk of Head and Neck Cancers-A Narrative Review of Potential Physiopathological and Biological Mechanisms

Head and neck cancers (HNCs) are known to present multiple factors likely to influence their development. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current scientific literature on the interplay between systemic inflammatory disorders, immunosuppressive treatments and their synergistic effect on HNC risk. Both cell-mediated and humoral-mediated systemic inflammatory disorders involve dysregulated immune responses and chronic inflammation and these inflammatory conditions have been associated with an increased risk of HNC development, primarily in the head and neck region. Likewise, the interaction between systemic inflammatory disorders and immunosuppressive treatments appears to amplify the risk of HNC development, as chronic inflammation fosters a tumor-promoting microenvironment, while immunosuppressive therapies further compromise immune surveillance and anti-tumor immune responses. Understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying this interaction is crucial for developing targeted prevention strategies and therapeutic interventions. Additionally, the emerging field of immunotherapy provides potential avenues for managing HNCs associated with systemic inflammatory disorders, but further research is needed to determine its efficacy and safety in this specific context. Future studies are warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and optimize preventive strategies and therapeutic interventions.

Myelolipoma After Infliximab Treatment for Crohn's Disease

A 20-year-old woman with Crohn's disease receiving infliximab therapy presented to the emergency department with lower extremity swelling secondary to compression of the common iliac vein. On magnetic resonance imaging, an enlarging pelvic mass was identified. The pathology of the mass was consistent with myelolipoma. We believe this is the first case of myelolipoma in a patient on immunosuppression with infliximab.

Bilateral Warthin tumor in psoriatic patients in therapy with multiple immunosuppressive therapy

Anti-TNFα drugs have strongly changed the way in which we deal with moderate and severe psoriasis. However, it is debatable whether biological drugs could increase the risk of developing cancer. The correlation between anti-TNFα drugs and lymphomas is well-known and is reported in all the technical details of biologic drugs. However, the association between anti-TNFα agents and solid tumors is still controversial. The authors report a case of bilateral salivary gland tumor in a psoriatic patient treated with several immunosuppressive therapies including anti-TNFα inhibitors.