Association of Pack-Years of Cigarette Smoking With Survival and Tumor Progression Among Patients Treated With Chemoradiation for Head and Neck Cancer

IMPORTANCE

After 10 pack-years of smoking was initially established as a threshold for risk stratification, subsequent clinical trials incorporated it to identify candidates for treatment deintensification. However, several recent studies were unable to validate this threshold externally, and the threshold for smoking exposure remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the threshold of pack-years of smoking associated with survival and tumor recurrence among patients with head and neck cancer.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This single-institution, cohort study included patients with nonmetastatic head and neck cancer receiving chemoradiation from January 2005 to April 2021. Data were analyzed from January to April 2022.

EXPOSURES

Heavy vs light smoking using 22 pack-years as a threshold based on maximizing log-rank test statistic.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), locoregional failure (LRF), and distant failure (DF).

RESULTS

A total of 518 patients (427 male [82.4%]; median [IQR] age, 61 [55-66] years) were included. Median (IQR) follow-up was 44.1 (22.3-72.8) months. A nonlinear Cox regression model using restricted cubic splines showed continuous worsening of OS and PFS outcomes as pack-years of smoking increased. The threshold of pack-years to estimate OS and PFS was 22. Cox multivariable analysis (MVA) showed that more than 22 pack-years was associated with worse OS (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.57; 95% CI, 1.11-2.22; P = .01) and PFS (aHR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.00-1.89; P = .048). On Fine-Gray MVA, heavy smokers were associated with DF (aHR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.02-2.88; P = .04), but not LRF (aHR, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.61-1.87; P = .82). When 10 pack-years of smoking were used as a threshold, there was no association for OS (aHR, 1.23; 95% CI, 0.83-1.81; P = .30), PFS (aHR, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.78-1.57; P = .56), LRF (aHR, 1.19; 95% CI, 0.64-2.21; P = .58), and DF (aHR, 1.45; 95% CI, 0.82-2.56; P = .20). Current smoking was associated with worse OS and PFS only among human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive tumors (OS: aHR, 2.81; 95% CI, 1.26-6.29; P = .01; PFS: aHR, 2.51; 95% CI, 1.22-5.14; P = .01).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this cohort study of patients treated with definitive chemoradiation, 22 pack-years of smoking was associated with survival and distant metastasis outcomes. Current smoking status was associated with adverse outcomes only among patients with HPV-associated head and neck cancer.

Defining the optimal threshold and prognostic utility of pre-treatment hemoglobin level as a biomarker for survival outcomes in head and neck cancer patients receiving chemoradiation

OBJECTIVES

We sought to define the optimal threshold for anemia in North American head and neck cancer patients and evaluate its role as a prognostic biomarker.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A single-institution database was queried for patients with head and neck cancer who underwent chemoradiation from January 2005 to April 2021. An optimal threshold of hemoglobin (Hgb) level was defined based on maximum log-rank test statistic. Cox multivariable analysis (MVA), Kaplan-Meier, and propensity score matching were performed to evaluate treatment outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 496 patients were identified. Threshold for Hgb was determined to be 11.4 for both overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Low Hgb was associated with worse OS (adjusted hazards ratio [aHR] 2.41, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.53-3.80, p < 0.001) and PFS (aHR 2.01, 95 % CI 1.30-3.11, p = 0.002). Similar findings were observed among 39 matched pairs for OS (5-year OS 22.3 % vs 49.0 %; HR 2.22, 95 % CI 1.23-4.03, p = 0.008) and PFS (5-year PFS 24.3 % vs 39.1 %; HR 1.78, 95 % CI 1.02-3.12, p = 0.04). Among those with HPV-negative tumors, low Hgb was associated with worse OS (aHR 13.90, 95 % CI 4.66-41.44, p < 0.001) and PFS (aHR 5.24, 95 % CI 2.09-13.18, p < 0.001). However, among those with HPV-positive tumors, low Hgb was not associated with both OS (aHR 1.75, 95 % CI 0.60-5.09, p = 0.31) and PFS (aHR 1.13, 95 % CI 0.41-3.14, p = 0.82).

CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE

Low Hgb below 11.4 was an independent adverse prognostic factor for worse survival. It was also prognostic among patients with HPV-negative tumors, but not for HPV-positive tumors.

Effect of musculature on mortality, a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

While often life-saving, treatment for head and neck cancer (HNC) can be debilitating resulting in unplanned hospitalization. Hospitalizations in cancer patients may disrupt treatment and result in poor outcomes. Pre-treatment muscle quality and quantity ascertained through diagnostic imaging may help identify patients at high risk of poor outcomes early. The primary objective of this study was to determine if pre-treatment musculature was associated with all-cause mortality.

METHODS

Patient demographic and clinical characteristics were abstracted from the cancer center electronic database (n = 403). Musculature was ascertained from pre-treatment CT scans. Propensity score matching was utilized to adjust for confounding bias when comparing patients with and without myosteatosis and with and without low muscle mass (LMM). Overall survival (OS) was evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox multivariable analysis.

RESULTS

A majority of patients were male (81.6%), white (89.6%), with stage IV (41.2%) oropharyngeal cancer (51.1%) treated with definitive radiation and chemotherapy (93.3%). Patients with myosteatosis and those with LMM were more likely to die compared to those with normal musculature (5-yr OS HR 1.55; 95% CI 1.03-2.34; HR 1.58; 95% CI 1.04-2.38).

CONCLUSIONS

Musculature at the time of diagnosis was associated with overall mortality. Diagnostic imaging could be utilized to aid in assessing candidates for interventions targeted at maintaining and increasing muscle reserves.

American Cancer Society nutrition and physical activity guideline for cancer survivors

The overall 5-year relative survival rate for all cancers combined is now 68%, and there are over 16.9 million survivors in the United States. Evidence from laboratory and observational studies suggests that factors such as diet, physical activity, and obesity may affect risk for recurrence and overall survival after a cancer diagnosis. The purpose of this American Cancer Society guideline is to provide evidence-based, cancer-specific recommendations for anthropometric parameters, physical activity, diet, and alcohol intake for reducing recurrence and cancer-specific and overall mortality. The audiences for this guideline are health care providers caring for cancer survivors as well as cancer survivors and their families. The guideline is intended to serve as a resource for informing American Cancer Society programs, health policy, and the media. Sources of evidence that form the basis of this guideline are systematic literature reviews, meta-analyses, pooled analyses of cohort studies, and large randomized clinical trials published since 2012. Recommendations for nutrition and physical activity during cancer treatment, informed by current practice, large cancer care organizations, and reviews of other expert bodies, are also presented. To provide additional context for the guidelines, the authors also include information on the relationship between health-related behaviors and comorbidities, long-term sequelae and patient-reported outcomes, and health disparities, with attention to enabling survivors' ability to adhere to recommendations. Approaches to meet survivors' needs are addressed as well as clinical care coordination and resources for nutrition and physical activity counseling after a cancer diagnosis.

Evaluation of Optimal Threshold of Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio and Its Association With Survival Outcomes Among Patients With Head and Neck Cancer

IMPORTANCE

Given the role of inflammation in cancer progression, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) from peripheral blood has been suggested as a readout of systemic inflammation and a prognostic marker in several solid malignant neoplasms. However, optimal threshold for NLR in US patients with head and neck cancer remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the optimal NLR threshold as a potential prognostic biomarker for survival outcomes.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This retrospective cohort study was conducted at a single institution. Participants included 496 patients with nonmetastatic head and neck cancer who underwent chemoradiation from April 2007 to March 2021. Statistical analysis was performed from September to December 2021.

EXPOSURES

High vs low NLR.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS).

RESULTS

A total of 496 patients (411 male patients [82.9%]; 432 White patients [87.1%]; 64 patients with other race or ethnicity [12.9%]; median [IQR] age, 61 [55-67] years) were identified. Median (IQR) follow-up was 44.4 (22.8-74.0) months. Thresholds of NLR for both OS and CSS were 5.71. High NLR above 5.71 was associated with worse OS (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.97; 95% CI, 1.26-3.09; P = .003) and CSS (aHR, 2.33; 95% CI, 1.38-3.95; P = .002). On logistic multivariable analysis, patients were more likely to have high NLR if they had higher T and N staging (T3-4: aOR, 4.07; 95% CI, 1.92-9.16; P < .001; N2: aOR, 2.97; 95% CI, 1.04-9.17; P = .049; N3: aOR, 11.21; 95% CI, 2.84-46.97; P < .001), but less likely if they had a good performance status (Karnofsky Performance Status 90-100: aOR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.14-0.59; P < .001). Among 331 patients (66.7%) with available human papillomavirus (HPV) data, high NLR was not associated with OS (HPV-negative: aHR, 2.46; 95% CI, 0.96-6.31; P = .06; HPV-positive: aHR, 1.17; 95% CI, 0.38-3.56; P = .78) and CSS (HPV-negative: aHR, 2.55; 95% CI, 0.81-7.99; P = .11; HPV-positive: aHR, 1.45; 95% CI, 0.44-4.76; P = .54).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

High NLR was associated with worse survival. Patients with substantial disease burden and poor performance status were more likely to have high NLR. These findings suggest that further studies would be warranted to investigate the role of such prognostic marker to identify patients at risk to tailor interventions.

Associations Between Polymorphisms in Genes Related to Oxidative Stress and DNA Repair, Interactions With Serum Antioxidants, and Prostate Cancer Risk: Results From the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial

Study of polymorphisms in genes related to the generation and removal of oxidative stress and repair of oxidative DNA damage will lead to new insights into the genetic basis of prostate cancer. In the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial (PCPT), a double-blind, randomized controlled trial testing finasteride versus placebo for prostate cancer prevention, we intend to investigate the role of oxidative stress/DNA repair mechanisms in prostate cancer etiology and whether these polymorphisms modify prostate cancer risk by interacting with antioxidant status in both placebo and finasteride arms. We evaluated associations of selected candidate polymorphisms in genes in these pathways, and interactions with pre-diagnostic serum antioxidants, and the risk of prostate cancer among 1,598 cases and 1,706 frequency-matched controls enrolled in the PCPT. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models. While there were no statistically significant associations observed in the placebo arm, several SNPs were associated with prostate cancer in the finasteride arm. Specifically, APEX1-rs1760944 was associated with increased risk of total prostate cancer (per minor allele: p-trend=0.04). OGG1-rs1052133 was positively (CG/GG vs. CC: OR=1.32, 95% CI: 1.01-1.73) and NOS3-rs1799983 was inversely (per minor allele: p-trend=0.04) associated with risk of low-grade prostate cancer. LIG3-rs1052536 and XRCC1-rs25489 were suggestively associated with reduced risk of high-grade prostate cancer (per minor allele: both p-trend=0.04). In the placebo arm, significant associations were observed among men with higher serum lycopene for APEX1-rs1760944 and NQO1-rs1800566, or higher serum β-cryptoxanthin for ERCC4-rs1800067. In the finasteride arm, stronger associations were observed among men with lower serum lycopene for NOS3-rs1799983, higher serum α-carotene, β-carotene, and β-cryptoxanthin for LIG3-rs1052536, or lower serum retinol for SOD2-rs1799725. These results suggest that germline variations in oxidative stress and DNA repair pathways may contribute to prostate carcinogenesis and that these associations may differ by intraprostatic sex steroid hormone status and be further modified by antioxidant status. Findings provide insights into the complex role of gene, gene-antioxidant and -finasteride interactions in prostate cancer etiology, and thus may lead to the development of preventative strategies.

Machine Learning Incorporating Host Factors for Predicting Survival in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients

Prognostication for cancer patients is integral for patient counseling and treatment planning, yet providing accurate prediction can be challenging using existing patient-specific clinical indicators and host factors. In this work, we evaluated common machine learning models in predicting head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients' overall survival based on demographic, clinical features and host factors. We found random survival forest had best performance among the models evaluated, which achieved a C-index of 0.729 and AUROC of 0.792 in predicting two-year overall survival. In addition, we verified that host factors are independently predictive of HNSCC overall survival, which improved the C-index by a margin of 0.026 and the AUROC by 0.034. Due to the strong correlation among host factors, we showed that proper dimension reduction is an important step before their incorporation into the machine learning models, which provides a host factor score reflecting the patients' nutrition and inflammation status. The score by itself showed excellent discriminating capacity with the high-risk group having a hazard ratio of 3.76 (1.93-7.32, p < 0.0001) over the low-risk group. The hazard ratios were further improved to 7.41 (3.66-14.98, p < 0.0001) by the random survival forest model after including demographic and clinical features.

A Retrospective Cohort Study of Myosteatosis and Quality of Life in Head and Neck Cancer Patients

Simple Summary

Quality of life (QOL) is an important patient reported outcome that effects both care and life outside of treatment. There is a shortage of nontaxing ways to determine which patients may need enhanced care over the course of their therapy and beyond to help avoid long-term declines in QOL. Therefore, we investigated whether myosteatosis as determined through existing diagnostic imaging could be used to predict QOL trajectories. In this study, patients with pretreatment myosteatosis were more likely to have lower physical and global QOL scores than patients with normal muscle density. In conclusion, myosteatosis may be a way of determining patients in need of extra assistance over the course of treatment and afterwards.

Abstract

Head and neck cancer (HNC) treatment-related morbidity can be detrimental to quality of life (QOL). Myosteatosis is associated with poor QOL in multiple cancers. If predictive of poor QOL trajectories, myosteatosis would be a tool for clinicians to determine which patients may require additional support during treatment. The purpose of this study was to determine if pretreatment myosteatosis is associated with a poor QOL trajectory following treatment completion. Methods: In a retrospective cohort design, myosteatosis was determined from pretreatment CT scans. Both physical and global QOL score was assessed through patient interview on follow-up appointment. Demographic, cancer-specific, and social covariates were collected, reported, and considered as potential confounders. Results: The population of 163 patients was mostly male (82.2%) and white (91.4%) with oropharyngeal cancer (55.8%). Males with myosteatosis had a physical QOL score 46.84 points lower at one-year following treatment completion (p = 0.01) than those with normal muscle density (p = 0.01). Males with myosteatosis averaged 57.57 points lower at one-year post-treatment (p = 0.01) in global QOL scores. Conclusions: Over one year following completion of treatment, patients with myosteatosis reported worse physical and global QOL scores than patients with normal muscle density.

Financial Counseling Is Associated with Reduced Financial Difficulty Scores in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Treated with Radiation Therapy

BACKGROUND

Financial toxicity (FT) can be devastating to cancer patients, and solutions are urgently needed. We investigated the impact of financial counseling (FC) on FT in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients.

METHODS

Via a single-institution database, we reviewed the charts of HNC patients who underwent definitive or post-operative radiotherapy, from October 2013 to December 2020. Of these patients, 387 had provided baseline and post-treatment information regarding financial difficulty. In July 2018, a dedicated financial counselor was provided for radiation therapy patients and we subsequently examined the impact of FC on financial difficulty scores.

RESULTS

Following the hiring of a dedicated financial counselor, there was a significant increase in the proportion of patients receiving FC (5.3% vs. 62.7%, p < 0.0001). Compared with baseline scores, patients who did not undergo FC had a significant increase in reported financial difficulty at the end of treatment (p = 0.002). On the other hand, there was no difference in pre- and post-treatment scores in patients who had received FC (p = 0.588). After adjusting for gender and nodal status with a multiple linear regression model, FC was significantly associated with change in financial difficulty (β = -0.204 ± 0.096, p = 0.035). On average, patients who received FC had a 0.2 units lower change in financial difficulty score as compared with those with the same gender and nodal stage but without FC.

CONCLUSIONS

Providing a dedicated financial counselor significantly increased the proportion of HNC receiving FC, resulting in the stabilization of financial difficulty scores post-treatment. Based on a multiple linear regression model, FC was independently associated with reduced financial difficulty. The employment of a financial counselor may be a viable, hospital-based approach to begin to address FT in HNC.

Matched pair analysis for comparison of survival outcome of alternative regimens to standard three-weekly cisplatin-based concurrent chemoradiation of head and neck cancer

Background

To compare head and neck cancer (HNC) patients treated with three-weekly versus weekly cisplatin-based or other chemotherapy-based concurrent chemoradiation (CRT) and CRT with versus without induction chemotherapy (ICT) to investigate differences in overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS).

Methods

HNC patients treated with definitive or adjuvant CRT at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center between 2003 and 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Propensity score matching was performed to obtain three sets of balanced matched pairs: three-weekly and weekly cisplatin CRT, three weekly and non-cisplatin CRT, CRT with and without ICT. Multivariate Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier analyses were used to estimate and compare survival outcomes.

Results

A total of 623 patients received either definitive (81%) or post-operative (19%) RT. Of these, 283 patients concurrently received three-weekly cisplatin (45%); 189 patients (30%) received weekly cisplatin; 151 patients (24%) received non-cisplatin regimen. Median follow-up was 55.4 months (interquartile range, 38.0–88.7). Patients who received CRT alone and those who received ICT and CRT had no difference in 5-year OS (51.5% and 41.0% respectively, P=0.53) and CSS (64.9% and 49.7% respectively, P=0.21). Compared to patients who received three-weekly cisplatin, patients who received weekly cisplatin had no difference in 5-year OS (59.3% vs. 54.1%, P=0.35) and CSS (70.3% vs. 62.4%, P=0.09); patients who received non-cisplatin CRT also had no difference in 5-year OS (54.5% vs. 58.3%, P=0.51) and CSS (67.5% vs. 64.7%, P=0.45).

Conclusions

No significant difference in OS and CSS was observed in any of the three pairs of CRT regimens. ICT prior to CRT did not improve survival of CRT alone. Non-cisplatin and weekly cisplatin regimens did not prove to be inferior to the standard three-weekly cisplatin.

Matched pair analysis to evaluate weight loss during radiation therapy for head and neck cancer as a prognostic factor for survival

Background

One frequent consequence of radiation therapy (RT) for head and neck cancer (HNC) is weight loss (WL). HNC patients reportedly lose about 9% of their weight during treatment, regardless of pre-treatment WL and nutritional support. We investigated whether high WL during RT has an association with overall (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS).

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed weight during RT in HNC patients treated at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center between 2003 and 2017. High WL was defined as greater than or equal to the median WL. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors for WL during RT. Multivariate Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier analyses were used to estimate survival outcomes. Propensity score matching was performed to obtain balanced matched-pairs and compare survival outcomes.

Results

A total of 843 patients received either definitive (71%) or post-operative (29%) RT. Median follow-up was 53.6 months [interquartile range (IQR) 35.7–88.9]. Median WL was 5.8% (IQR 0.24–10.6) from baseline weight. Patients with high WL had better OS [hazard ratio (HR) 0.75, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.61–0.93, P=0.01] and CSS (HR 0.71, 95% CI, 0.55–0.93, P=0.01). 258 matched-pairs were analyzed. Median follow-up was 54.8 months (IQR 35.8–90.4). Median OS was 39.2 months (IQR 21.4–75.7) for high WL versus 36.7 months (IQR 14.6–61.7) for low WL cohorts (P=0.047).

Conclusions

Different from previous reports, this study shows that patients with less WL have worse OS. WL during RT may not be a reliable marker for worse prognosis. A better way to evaluate malnutrition in patients undergoing RT is warranted.

Change in Physical Performance Correlates with Decline in Quality of Life and Frailty Status in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiation with and without Chemotherapy

Simple Summary

Quality of life (QoL) scores and frailty status are becoming increasingly important criterion with implications on both how patients are treated and survival in head and neck cancer (HNC). Despite this, physicians lack tools to identify patients who are at risk of suffering declines in QoL and becoming frail following treatment. Therefore, we investigated whether functional decline, as measured by a series of physical tests called the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), correlated with a reduction in QoL and increased risk of frailty. In the current study, patients who experienced a decline in SPPB scores were significantly more likely to have changes in physical functioning QoL measures as well as transition to frail status following treatment. In conclusion, the SPPB may be a useful tool to identify patients who may benefit from additional rehabilitation in future studies.

Abstract

Patient-reported quality of life (QoL) metrics, frailty status, and physical functioning are emerging concepts in head and neck cancer (HNC) with implications on both treatment decision-making and prognosis. The impact of treatment-related functional decline on QoL and frailty has not been well-characterized in HNC and was the focus of this investigation. Methods: Patients who underwent radiation therapy for HNC from 2018 to 2020 were evaluated as a prospective observational cohort. Functional decline, QoL, and the frailty phenotype were measured via the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) qlq-C30, and Fried Frailty index, respectively. Results: A total of 106 HNC patients were included, 75 of which received concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT) and 31 received radiation alone, both with and without surgery. There was a decrease in SPPB overall (p < 0.001) from the beginning to the end of treatment in the CCRT group but not the radiation group (p = 0.43). Change in overall SPPB points following treatment correlated with the decline in physical QoL for both groups (p < 0.05) as well as transition frail status in the CCRT group (p < 0.001) with a trend in the radiation group (p = 0.08). Conclusions: Change in SPPB correlates with QoL and transition to frailty status in patients undergoing definitive CCRT for HNC with similar trends in those receiving radiation alone. Decline in SPPB could potentially be useful in identification of those who may benefit from rehabilitation in future studies.

Association of significant financial burden with survival for head and neck cancer patients treated with radiation therapy

OBJECTIVE

To assess the association between financial toxicity and survival in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using a single-institution database, we retrospectively reviewed HNC patients treated at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center treated with definitive or postoperative radiation therapy between 2013 and 2017. Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank tests were used to analyze survival outcomes. Propensity score matching on all clinically relevant baseline characteristics was performed to address selection bias. All statistical tests were two-sided and those less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Of a total of 284 HNC patients (age: median 61 years, IQR 55-67; 220 [77.5%] men), 204 patients (71.8%) received definitive radiation and 80 patients (28.2%) received adjuvant radiation. There were 41 patients (14.4%) who reported high baseline financial toxicity. Chemotherapy was used in 237 patients (83.5%). On multivariable analysis, those with high financial toxicity exhibited worse overall survival (hazards ratio [HR] 1.75, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05-2.94, p = 0.03) and cancer specific survival (HR 2.28, 95% CI 1.31-3.96, p = 0.003). On matched pair analysis of 66 patients, high financial toxicity remained associated with worse OS (HR 2.72, 95% CI 1.04-7.09, p = 0.04) and CSS (HR 3.75, 95% CI 1.22-11.5, p = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

HNC patient reported baseline financial toxicity was significantly correlated with both decreased overall and cancer specific survival. These significant correlations held after match pairing. Further research is warranted to investigate the impact of financial toxicity in HNC and mitigate its risk.

Matched pair analysis to evaluate the impact of hospitalization during radiation therapy as an early marker of survival in head and neck cancer patients

BACKGROUND

Complications from radiotherapy (RT) alone or combined with surgery and/or chemotherapy for head and neck cancer (HNC) sometimes necessitate hospitalization. Our aim was to evaluate the frequency, cause, and survival outcomes associated with hospitalizations in patients undergoing RT for HNC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Using a retrospective single-institution database, we reviewed hospitalization records of HNC patients treated at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center with definitive or post-operative RT between 2003 and 2017. Patients who were admitted during treatment and within 90-days post-RT were identified. Multivariate analyses, Kaplan-Meier statistics, and analysis on propensity score matching were performed to obtain matched-pair, after matching baseline characteristics, such as age, gender, smoking, tumor staging, p16 status, and treatments received.

RESULTS

839 patients were eligible for analysis. Median follow-up was 34.8 months (Interquartile range [IQR] 15.6-64.8). 595 (71%) received definitive RT and 244 (29%) received adjuvant RT. Chemotherapy was used in 671 patients (80%). 171 patients (20%) had at least one hospitalization. Dehydration (40%) and fever (29%) were the most frequent causes of admission. Hospitalized patients had significantly worse overall survival (OS) (Hazards ratio [HR] 1.61, 95% CI 1.26-2.07, p < 0.001) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) (HR 1.45, 95% CI 1.07-1.95, p = 0.02). 163 matched pairs had median follow-up of 58.6 months (IQR 37.6-85.0). Median OS was 34.5 months (IQR 13.3-58.0) for hospitalized versus 44.2 months (IQR 20.3-78.7) for non-hospitalized patients (p = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

This study reveals significantly worse OS and CSS for patients hospitalized during RT for HNC. Hospitalization may be an early marker for worse survival.

Evaluation of radiation treatment volumes for unknown primaries of the head and neck in the era of FDG PET

Objectives

Positron-emission tomography (PET) has improved identification of the primary tumor as well as occult nodal burden in cancer of the head and neck. Nevertheless, there are still patients where the primary tumor cannot be located. In these situations, the standard of care is comprehensive head and neck radiation therapy however it is unclear whether this is necessary. This study examines the effects of radiation treatment volume on outcomes among using data from two cancer centers in unknown primary carcinoma of the head and neck.

Methods

Patients received unilateral (n = 34), or bilateral radiation (n = 28). Patient factors such as age, gender, smoking history, and patterns of failure were compared using Mann Whitney U and Chi Square. Overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS) trends were estimated using Kaplan-Meier survival curves. Effect of treatment volume on survival was examined using multivariate cox proportional hazard regression model.

Results

No significant differences were observed in the frequency of local (p = 0.32), regional (p = 0.50), or distant (p = 0.76) failures between unilateral and bilateral radiation therapy. By Kaplan-Meier estimates, OS (3-year OS bilateral = 71.67%, unilateral = 77.90%, p = 0.50) and DFS (3-year DFS bilateral = 77.92%, unilateral = 69.43%, p = 0.63) were similar between the two treatment approaches. Lastly, multivariate analysis did not demonstrate any significant differences in outcome by treatment volumes (OS: HR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.31, 1.81, p = 0.51; DFS: HR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.24, 1.93, p = 0.47).

Conclusions

Unilateral radiation therapy compared with bilateral produced similar survival.

Daily Time of Radiation Treatment Is Associated with Subsequent Oral Mucositis Severity during Radiotherapy in Head and Neck Cancer Patients

BACKGROUND

Limited treatment options are available for oral mucositis, a common, debilitating complication of cancer therapy. We examined the association between daily delivery time of radiotherapy and the severity of oral mucositis in patients with head and neck cancer.

METHODS

We used electronic medical records of 190 patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who completed radiotherapy, with or without concurrent chemotherapy, at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center (Buffalo, NY) between 2015 and 2017. Throughout a 7-week treatment course, patient mouth and throat soreness (MTS) was self-reported weekly using a validated oral mucositis questionnaire, with responses 0 (no) to 4 (extreme). Average treatment times from day 1 until the day before each mucositis survey were categorized into seven groups. Multivariable-adjusted marginal average scores (LSmeans) were estimated for the repeated- and maximum-MTS, using a linear-mixed model and generalized-linear model, respectively.

RESULTS

Radiation treatment time was significantly associated with oral mucositis severity using both repeated-MTS (n = 1,156; P = 0.02) and maximum-MTS (n = 190; P = 0.04), with consistent patterns. The severity was lowest for patients treated during 8:30 to <9:30 am (LSmeans for maximum-MTS = 2.24; SE = 0.15), increased at later treatment times and peaked at early afternoon (11:30 am to <3:00 pm, LSmeans = 2.66-2.71; SEs = 0.16/0.17), and then decreased substantially after 3 pm.

CONCLUSIONS

We report a significant association between radiation treatment time and oral mucositis severity in patients with head and neck cancer.

IMPACT

Although additional studies are needed, these data suggest a potential simple treatment time solution to limit severity of oral mucositis during radiotherapy without increasing cost.

Small form factor, flexible, dual-modality handheld probe for smartphone-based, point-of-care oral and oropharyngeal cancer screening

Oral cancer is a growing health issue in low- and middle-income countries due to betel quid, tobacco, and alcohol use and in younger populations of middle- and high-income communities due to the prevalence of human papillomavirus. The described point-of-care, smartphone-based intraoral probe enables autofluorescence imaging and polarized white light imaging in a compact geometry through the use of a USB-connected camera module. The small size and flexible imaging head improves on previous intraoral probe designs and allows imaging the cheek pockets, tonsils, and base of tongue, the areas of greatest risk for both causes of oral cancer. Cloud-based remote specialist and convolutional neural network clinical diagnosis allow for both remote community and home use. The device is characterized and preliminary field-testing data are shared.

The Extent of Neck Dissection Among Patients Who Receive Adjuvant Radiotherapy for HNSCC and Its Effect on Disease-Specific and Overall Survival

The study objective was to assess if the extent of neck dissection among patients who receive adjuvant radiotherapy affects regional recurrence and survival. This was a retrospective study of patients who had clinical metastatic mucosal primary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) to cervical lymph nodes done at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York from 2004 to 2015. Patients with previous radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy were excluded. All patients had surgery to the primary tumor and the neck followed by adjuvant (chemo) radiation. Patients have been divided into 2 groups according to type of neck dissection as either selective neck dissection (SND) or comprehensive neck dissection (CND). The extent of neck dissection was determined by surgeon preference. All patients received postoperative radiotherapy to the primary tumor bed and to the neck with or without chemotherapy. Main outcomes were measured in regional recurrence and overall survival. In our study, 74 patients were included. Among the 2 groups of patients, 3-year outcomes for regional recurrence occurred in 4 (7.1%) of 56 patients in the SND group and 2 (11.1%) of 18 patients in the CND group. Overall survival was 29 (51.8%) of 56 patients in the SND group and 11 (61.1%) of 18 patients in the CND group ( P = .497). Among patients who died in each cohort, disease-specific death was 20 (74.1%) of 27 patients in the SND group and 5 (71.4%) of 7 patients in the CND group ( P = .79).The overall and disease-specific survival differences between the SND and CND cohorts were not statistically significant. In conclusion, SND, combined with proper adjuvant treatment, achieved regional control and survival rates comparable to CND.

Routine surveillance scanning in HNSCC: Lung screening CT scans have value but head and neck scans do not

OBJECTIVES

To examine the utility of computed tomography (CT) imaging during routine surveillance for the detection of recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

MATERIALS/METHODS

Clinical characteristics of HNSCC patients treated between 2008 and 2017 with radiation therapy or concurrent chemoradiation were abstracted from medical records. In patients who achieved a complete response to treatment by positron emission tomography scan, surveillance CT scans were conducted to the maxillofacial area, neck, and chest every 3 months in year 1, every 6 months in year 2, and every 12 months in years 3 and beyond.

RESULTS

Within the entire cohort (n = 534), complete response was achieved in 446 patients (83.5%); of these, 84 (15.7%) patients had a recurrence. Among the 84 patients with disease recurrence, 25 (30%) patients remained alive, of which 15 (18%) underwent successful salvage treatment and became free of disease. Lung screening CT scans detected failure in 8 of these successfully salvaged patients. Among the 8 patients successfully salvaged for locoregional recurrence, 3 failures were asymptomatic at onset and detected by laryngoscope or dental exam. The remaining 5 failures were symptomatic and detected upon work up prompted by symptoms. Maxillofacial and neck surveillance CT imaging failed to detect any successfully salvaged patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Routine surveillance for HNSCC patients with lung CT imaging had value but routine head and neck CT scans failed to identify any successfully salvaged patients. Given this finding, routine CT imaging surveillance in HNSCC patients should be restricted to annual lung screening with low-dose chest CT.

Associations between polymorphisms in genes related to estrogen metabolism and function and prostate cancer risk: results from the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial

Substantial preclinical data suggest estrogen's carcinogenic role in prostate cancer development; however, epidemiological evidence based on circulating estrogen levels is largely null. Compared with circulating estrogen, the intraprostatic estrogen milieu may play a more important role in prostate carcinogenesis. Using a nested case-control design in the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial (PCPT), we examined associations of genetic variants of genes that are involved in estrogen synthesis, metabolism and function with prostate cancer risk. A total of 25 potentially functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 13 genes (PGR, ESR1, ESR2, CYP17A1, HSD17B1, CYP19A1, CYP1A1, CYP1B1, COMT, UGT1A6, UGT1A10, UGT2B7, UGT2B15) were examined in whites only. Controls (n = 1380) were frequency matched to cases on age, PCPT treatment arm, and family history (n = 1506). Logistic regression models adjusted for age and family history were used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) separately in the placebo and finasteride arms. SNPs associated with prostate cancer risk differed by treatment arm. The associations appeared to be modified by circulating estrogen and androgen levels. CYP19A1 was the only gene harboring SNPs that were significantly associated with risk in both the placebo and finasteride arms. Haplotype analysis with all three CYP19A1 SNPs genotyped (rs700518, rs2445765, rs700519) showed that risk-allele haplotypes are associated with the increased prostate cancer risk in both arms when comparing with the non-risk allele haplotype. In conclusion, associations between SNPs in estrogen-related genes and prostate cancer risk are complex and may be modified by circulating hormone levels and finasteride treatment.

Combined surgery and radiation improves survival of tonsil squamous cell cancers

Objective

The study evaluated the addition of surgery (S) to radiation (RT) on survival of squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) of tonsillar-fossa (TF) in a modern cohort with similar epidemiology and treatment as current patients.

Study Design

Retrospective analysis utilizing Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program data.

Results

For all stages combined TF patients who received S+RT had superior OS (p < 0.01) and DSS (p < 0.01). For each stage OS and DSS was superior for S+RT (p < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, HRs for OS were statistically significantly higher for TF patients (stage 2, 3, and 4) receiving RT alone (p < 0.001).

Materials and Methods

TF SCC patients treated with either S+RT or RT alone between 2004 and 2011 were examined (n = 6,476). Primary outcome measures included overall survival (OS) and disease specific survival (DSS). Cox proportional hazard ratios (HR) were estimated for patients treated with S+RT compared to RT alone.

Conclusions

OS and DSS were superior for all stages combined and for stages 2, 3, and 4 in TF patients who received S+RT compared to RT alone.

Subsite variation in survival of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas 2004 to 2011

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

To evaluate subsite-specific differences in survival between squamous cell carcinomas of the base of tongue and tonsillar fossa in a modern cohort likely to have been treated with intensity-modulated radiation therapy, chemotherapy for stage III and IV, and have had a high incidence of human papillomavirus-associated tumors.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort analysis utilizing data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program of patients with base of tongue and tonsillar fossa squamous cell carcinoma from 2004 to 2011.

METHODS

The cohort included 15,299 primary base of tongue and tonsillar fossa squamous cell carcinoma patients without distant metastases treated between 2004 and 2011. Subsite differences in overall survival and disease-specific survival were examined with Kaplan-Meier curves. Multivariate cox proportional hazard ratios were estimated for overall and disease-specific survival.

RESULTS

The cohort included 7,220 (47.2%) base of tongue and 8,079 (52.8%) tonsillar fossa squamous cell carcinoma patients. Overall survival with all stages combined favored tonsillar fossa (P < .001) and remained superior when stratified by stage. In multivariate analyses adjusted for age, gender, race, and treatment, the hazard ratio for overall survival was superior for tonsillar fossa tumors compared to base of tongue tumors for all stages (stage 1, P = .041; stage 2, P = .006; stages 3 and 4, P < .001). Disease-specific survival also favored improved outcomes for tonsillar fossa.

CONCLUSIONS

In this large modern cohort, overall and disease-specific survival favored outcomes in tonsillar fossa compared with base of tongue. Further study is required to evaluate factors that influence survival differences between tonsillar fossa and base of tongue despite modern therapy.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4 Laryngoscope, 127:1087-1092, 2017.

Smoking cessation is associated with improved survival in oropharynx cancer treated by chemoradiation

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

The effect of smoking and human papillomavirus (HPV) on overall survival (OS) of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) patients undergoing concurrent chemotherapy (CCRT) remains unclear.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective review.

METHODS

Clinical characteristics of OPSCC patients treated between 2008 and 2015 with CCRT were abstracted from medical records. OS curves and multivariate cox proportional hazard ratios (HRs) were examined.

RESULTS

Of 120 evaluable patients, 71% had HPV⁺ tumors. Median follow-up duration for the entire cohort was 41.5 months (range = 6-88 months). HPV⁺ current smokers experienced significantly worse 5-year OS (73% alive vs. 36% alive, P = .01) and there was a similar trend in HPV^- current smokers (66% alive vs. 31% alive, P = .28) compared to former/never smokers undergoing CCRT. In a multivariate cox proportional hazard model adjusted for age, gender, and overall tumor stage, HPV⁺ current smokers experienced nearly a fourfold increase in overall mortality in comparison to HPV⁺ never/former smokers (HR = 3.68, 95% CI = 1.35-10.0). Similarly, current smokers with HPV^- tumors (HR = 6.80, 95% CI = 1.11-41.67) had increased mortality compared to never/former smokers.

CONCLUSIONS

Current smoking is associated with poor prognosis, independent of HPV status, in CCRT-treated OPSCC patients. Current smoking produced an approximately four- to sevenfold increase in risk of mortality for HPV⁺ and HPV^- patients, respectively. Regardless of pack years and HPV status, efforts should be made to achieve smoking cessation before CCRT.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4. Laryngoscope, 126:2733-2738, 2016.

The impact of cancer treatment on the diets and food preferences of patients receiving outpatient treatment

Patients undergoing cancer treatment experience a multitude of symptoms that can influence their ability to complete treatment as well as their quality of life during and after treatment. This cross-sectional study sought to describe the dietary changes experienced by cancer patients and to identify associations between these changes and common treatment symptoms. A convenience sample of 1199 cancer patients aged 18 yr and older undergoing active treatment were recruited from 7 cancer centers to complete a self-administered paper-and-pencil survey. Descriptive analyses were conducted to estimate prevalence of dietary changes and chi-squared tests were used to examine associations between dietary changes and health outcomes. Approximately 40% of patients reported a decreased appetite since beginning treatment, and 67.2% of patients reported at least 1 chemosensory alteration. Increased taste sensitivities were more common than decreased taste sensitivities, with increased sensitivity to metallic being the most common taste sensitivity (18.6%). Patients also had increased sensitivities to certain smells including cleaning solutions (23.4%), perfume (22.4%), and food cooking (11.4%). Patients reported a wide range of food preferences and aversions. Patients who had less energy or lost weight since beginning treatment were more likely than others to report treatment-related dietary changes.

Availability of Outpatient Clinical Nutrition Services for Patients With Cancer Undergoing Treatment at Comprehensive Cancer Centers

Comprehensive cancer centers rely on referral-based clinical nutrition services, which are not always a part of multidisciplinary care. An in-depth comparison of clinical nutrition services among other approaches to cancer care is needed.

Pretreatment weight status and weight loss among head and neck cancer patients receiving definitive concurrent chemoradiation therapy: implications for nutrition integrated treatment pathways

PURPOSE

The purpose was to examine the effect of pretreatment weight status on loco-regional progression for patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) after receiving definitive concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT).

METHODS

In an expanded cohort of 140 patients, we retrospectively reviewed weight status and loco-regional progression of SCCHN patients treated with CCRT between 2004 and 2010.

RESULTS

Pretreatment ideal body weight percentage (IBW%) was statistically significantly different for patients with disease progression than for those without progression (p = 0.02) but was not an independent predictor of progression. Median pretreatment IBW% was 118 (72-193) for the progression-free group and was 101.5 (73-163) for the group with progression. Both groups suffered clinically severe weight loss of approximately 9 % from baseline to end treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Pretreatment weight status, a very crude indicator of nutrition status, may have prognostic value in patients with SCCHN undergoing definitive CCRT. Inadequate nutritional status in these patients has been associated with poor clinical outcomes and decreased quality of life. Based on this report and others, the best next steps include routine validated malnutrition screening and the testing of evidence-based nutrition care protocols with the goals of minimizing weight loss and improvement of quality of life.

Plasma IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 may be imprecise surrogates for breast concentrations: an analysis of healthy women

We investigated insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 and IGF binding protein (IGFBP)-3 concentrations in histologically normal breast tissues and assessed their association with plasma concentrations, and breast cancer risk factors. IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 were assessed in plasma and breast tissues of 90 women with no history of any cancer and undergoing reduction mammoplasty. Pearson correlations and ANOVAs were used to describe plasma-breast associations and biomarker differences by breast cancer risk factors, respectively. Multivariable regression models were used to determine associations between risk factors, and breast IGF-1 and IGFBP-3. The mean age of the study sample was 37.3 years, 58 % were white, and generally these women were obese (mean BMI = 30.8 kg/m(2)). We observed no plasma-breast correlation for IGF-1, IGFBP-3, or IGF-1/IGFBP-3 (r = -0.08, r = 0.14, and r = 0.03, respectively; p-values >0.05). Through age- and BMI-adjusted analysis, BMI and years of oral contraceptive (OC) use were inversely associated with breast IGF-1 (p-values = 0.02 and 0.003, respectively) and age was associated with breast IGFBP-3 (p = 0.01), while breast IGF-1/IGFBP-3 was higher in blacks than whites (1.08 vs. 0.68, p = 0.04) and associated with age and BMI (p-values = 0.03 and 0.002, respectively). In multivariable-adjusted models, some breast cancer risk factors studied herein explained 24, 10, and 15 % of the variation in breast IGF-1, IGFBP-3, and IGF-1/IGFBP-3, respectively. While reasons for the lack of plasma-breast hormone correlations in these cancer-free women are unknown, several factors were shown to be associated with breast concentrations. The lack of correlation between blood and tissue IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 suggests that studies of breast cancer risk assessing blood IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 may have important limitations in understanding their role in breast carcinogenesis.

Changes in vitamin D supplement use and baseline plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration predict 5-y change in concentration in postmenopausal women

Few studies have prospectively examined predictors of change in plasma concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D]. We sought to determine the predictors of 5-y change in 25(OH)D. Plasma 25(OH)D concentrations were assessed at baseline (1997-2000) and 5 y later (2002-2005) in 668 postmenopausal women enrolled in the Osteoporosis and Periodontal Disease Study. Baseline and changes in demographic, dietary, lifestyle, and health-related factors were tested as predictors of change in 25(OH)D concentrations by using multivariable linear regression. The mean 5-y change in 25(OH)D (mean ± SD) was 7.7 ± 0.7 nmol/L (P < 0.001). In our predictive model (n = 643), predictors explained 31% of the variance in change in 25(OH)D concentrations and included baseline 25(OH)D, baseline and change in vitamin D supplementation and physical activity, change in season of blood draw, BMI, whole-body T score, and baseline hormone therapy use. Baseline 25(OH)D and change in vitamin D supplementation explained the most variation (25%) in 25(OH)D. Exploratory analyses showed a borderline significant interaction between tertiles of baseline 25(OH)D and change in vitamin D supplementation over time (P = 0.06). The greatest mean increase in 25(OH)D (22.9 ± 16.8 nmol/L), with adjustment for other statistically significant predictors, occurred in women whose baseline 25(OH)D concentration was ≤51.0 nmol/L (tertile 1) and who increased supplementation use over time. These results confirm the importance of supplementation in increasing 25(OH)D concentrations in aging women, even after other statistically significant predictors are controlled for. These data also suggest that this is especially true among aging women with inadequate 25(OH)D (e.g., <50 nmol/L).

Adipokines in plasma and breast tissues: associations with breast cancer risk factors

BACKGROUND

Blood adipokines are associated with breast cancer risk; however, blood-breast adipokine correlations and factors that explain variation in adipokines are unknown.

METHODS

Plasma (n = 155) and breast (n = 85) leptin and adiponectin were assessed by immunoassays in women with no history of cancer. Multivariable-adjusted regression models were used to determine breast adipokine associations.

RESULTS

Through body mass index (BMI)-adjusted analyses, we initially observed positive plasma-breast correlations for leptin (r = 0.41, P = 0.0002) and adiponectin (r = 0.23, P = 0.05). The positive plasma-breast correlation for leptin was strongest among normal weight women (r = 0.62), whereas the correlation for adiponectin was strongest among obese women (r = 0.31). In multivariable models, adjusting for BMI, demographic, reproductive, and lifestyle factors, plasma leptin was not associated with breast leptin, and only the highest quartile of plasma adiponectin was associated with tissue levels. Of the risk factors investigated, those that contributed most to the variation in breast tissue adipokines were BMI and race for leptin, oral contraceptive use and smoking status for adiponectin.

CONCLUSIONS

Although we report positive plasma-breast adipokine correlations overall, plasma adipokine concentrations may not be good surrogates for breast concentrations among all women. Predictors of breast adipokines vary, depending on subject characteristics, possibly explaining inconsistent epidemiologic results and they implicate differing pathways toward carcinogenesis.

IMPACT

A clearer understanding of the relationships between plasma adipokines and their levels within the target organ is necessary to better understand the impact of these hormones on breast cancer risk. Future studies are needed to identify additional factors associated with breast adipokines in target tissues.

Quantification of the effect of treatment duration on local-regional failure after definitive concurrent chemotherapy and intensity-modulated radiation therapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to quantify the effect of treatment duration on locoregional progression after definitive concurrent chemoradiation (CCRT) for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN).

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients treated between 2004 and 2010. After a prior analysis, measures were taken to limit therapy beyond 7 weeks. Comparison of outcomes were made between cohorts 1 (2004-2007, n = 78) and 2 (2007-2010, n = 62).

RESULTS

Median therapy duration was statistically significantly different between cohorts as follows: 51 days, cohort 1 and 46 days, cohort 2 (p < .01). Locoregional progression in cohorts 1 and 2 was 19% and 5% (p = .01), respectively. On multivariate analysis, patients with prolonged treatment (≥57 days) had an 8-fold increase in risk of locoregional progression compared to patients who completed on time (p < .01).

CONCLUSION

Treatment duration was a significant predictor of locoregional progression in patients with SCCHN who received definitive CCRT.

Promoter methylation of E-cadherin, p16, and RAR-β(2) genes in breast tumors and dietary intake of nutrients important in one-carbon metabolism

Aberrant DNA methylation plays a critical role in carcinogenesis, and the availability of dietary factors involved in 1-carbon metabolism may contribute to aberrant DNA methylation. We investigated the association of intake of folate, vitamins B(2), B(6), B(12), and methionine with promoter methylation of E-cadherin, p16, and RAR-β(2) genes in archived tumor tissues from incident, primary breast cancer cases in a population-based case-control study. Real-time methylation-specific PCR was performed on 803 paraffin-embedded samples; usual dietary intake was queried from a food frequency questionnaire. Unconditional logistic regression was used to derive adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for likelihood of promoter methylation for high compared to low intake of those 1-carbon nutrients. Overall, in case-case comparisons, dietary intakes of folate, vitamins B(2), B(6), B(12), and methionine were not associated with likelihood of promoter methylation of E- cadherin, p16, and RAR-β(2) for all cases combined or within strata defined by menopausal status and estrogen receptor status in this study. This finding, however, does not exclude the possibility that intake of such nutrients might have the ability to modulate promoter methylation in normal or premalignant (dysplastic) breast tissue.

Improved survival following surgery and radiation therapy for olfactory neuroblastoma: analysis of the SEER database

Background

Olfactory Neuroblastoma is a rare malignant tumor of the olfactory tract. Reports in the literature comparing treatment modalities for this tumor are limited.

Methods

The SEER database (1973-2006) was queried by diagnosis code to identify patients with Olfactory Neuroblastoma. Kaplan-Meier was used to estimate survival distributions based on treatment modality. Differences in survival distributions were determined by the log-rank test. A Cox multiple regression analysis was then performed using treatment, race, SEER historic stage, sex, age at diagnosis, year at diagnosis and SEER geographic registry.

Results

A total of 511 Olfactory Neuroblastoma cases were reported. Five year overall survival, stratified by treatment modality was: 73% for surgery with radiotherapy, 68% for surgery only, 35% for radiotherapy only, and 26% for neither surgery nor radiotherapy. There was a significant difference in overall survival between the four treatment groups (p < 0.01). At ten years, overall survival stratified by treatment modality and stage, there was no significant improvement in survival with the addition of radiation to surgery.

Conclusions

Best survival results were obtained for surgery with radiotherapy.

Pretreatment nutritional status and locoregional failure of patients with head and neck cancer undergoing definitive concurrent chemoradiation therapy

BACKGROUND

This study was carried out to determine if markers of nutritional status predict for locoregional failure following intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN).

METHODS

We performed a retrospective chart review of 78 patients with SCCHN who received definitive CCRT. We compared patient factors, tumor characteristics, and nutritional status indicators between patients with and without locoregional failure.

RESULTS

Fifteen of 78 patients (19%) experienced locoregional failure. Median follow-up for live patients was 38 months. On univariate analysis, pretreatment percentage of ideal body weight (%IBW) (p < .01), pretreatment hemoglobin (p = .04), and treatment duration (p < .01) were significant predictors of failure. On multivariate analysis, pretreatment %IBW (p = .04) and treatment time (p < .01) remained statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Although treatment time is an accepted risk factor for failure, differences in outcome for patients with head and neck cancer undergoing definitive CCRT based on pretreatment %IBW should be examined further.

Alcohol consumption and breast tumor mitochondrial DNA mutations

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations are frequent in breast tumors, but the etiology of these mutations is unknown. We hypothesized that these mutations are associated with exposures that affect oxidative stress such as alcohol metabolism. Using archived tumor blocks from incident breast cancer cases in a case control study, the Western New York Exposures and Breast Cancer (WEB) study, analysis of mtDNA mutations was conducted on 128 breast cancer cases selected based on extremes of alcohol intake. Temporal temperature gradient gel electrophoresis (TTGE) was used to screen the entire mtDNA genome and sequencing was completed for all TTGE positive samples. Case-case comparisons were completed using unconditional logistic regression to determine the relative prevalence of the mutations by exposures including alcohol consumption, manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) genotype, nutrient intake related to oxidative stress and established breast cancer risk factors. Somatic mtDNA mutations were found in 60 of the 128 tumors examined. There were no differences in the prevalence of mtDNA mutations by alcohol consumption, MnSOD genotype or dietary intake. The likelihood of mtDNA mutations was reduced among those with a positive family history for breast cancer (OR = 0.33, CI = 0.12-0.92), among postmenopausal women who used hormone replacement therapy (OR = 0.46, CI = 0.19-1.08, P = 0.08) and was increased for ER negative tumors (OR = 2.05, CI = 0.95-4.43, P = 0.07). Consistent with previous studies, we found that mtDNA mutations are a frequent occurrence in breast tumors. An understanding of the etiology of mtDNA mutations may provide insight into breast carcinogenesis.

Alcohol consumption and genetic variation in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate-homocysteine methyltransferase in relation to breast cancer risk

It has been hypothesized that effects of alcohol consumption on one-carbon metabolism may explain, in part, the association of alcohol consumption with breast cancer risk. The methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate-homocysteine methyltransferase (MTR) genes express key enzymes in this pathway. We investigated the association of polymorphisms in MTHFR (rs1801133 and rs1801131) and MTR (rs1805087) with breast cancer risk and their interaction with alcohol consumption in a case-control study--the Western New York Exposures and Breast Cancer study. Cases (n = 1,063) were women with primary, incident breast cancer and controls (n = 1,890) were frequency matched to cases on age and race. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated by unconditional logistic regression. We found no association of MTHFR or MTR genotype with risk of breast cancer. In the original case-control study, there was a nonsignificant increased odds of breast cancer among women with higher lifetime drinking. In the current study, there was no evidence of an interaction of genotype and alcohol in premenopausal women. However, among postmenopausal women, there was an increase in breast cancer risk for women who were homozygote TT for MTHFR C677T and had high lifetime alcohol intake (>or=1,161.84 oz; OR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.13-3.28) and for those who had a high number of drinks per drinking day (>1.91 drinks/day; OR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.03-3.28) compared with nondrinkers who were homozygote CC. Our findings indicate that among postmenopausal women, increased breast cancer risk with alcohol consumption may be as a result of effects on one-carbon metabolism.

Effect modification by catalase genotype suggests a role for oxidative stress in the association of hormone replacement therapy with postmenopausal breast cancer risk

Catalase, a ubiquitous heme enzyme, catalyzes conversion of hydrogen peroxide to water and molecular oxygen, protecting cells from oxidative stress. A C/T polymorphism in the promoter region of the CAT gene (rs1001179) affects transcriptional activity and RBC catalase levels. Oxidative stress may explain the observed increased postmenopausal breast cancer risk associated with hormone replacement therapy (HRT). We examined CAT genotype, HRT, and postmenopausal breast cancer risk in the Western New York Exposures and Breast Cancer case-control study. Cases (n = 616) were women with primary, incident, pathologically confirmed breast cancer. Randomly selected controls (n = 1,082) were frequency matched to cases on age and race. Genotype was assayed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Unconditional logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) adjusted for potential confounders. CAT genotype alone was not associated with breast cancer risk. Ever use of HRT was associated with increased risk (OR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.11-1.75). The increase with ever use was more pronounced among those with variant CT or TT CAT genotype (OR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.29-2.75) than among those with CC (OR, 1.15; 95% CI, 0.86-1.54). Similarly, risk associated with >or=5 years of HRT use was greater among those with at least one variant T allele (OR, 2.32; 95% CI, 1.50-3.59). Increased risk was limited to estrogen receptor-positive tumors. Our findings suggest that CAT genotype modifies the effect of HRT use on breast cancer risk and that HRT may affect risk by affecting oxidative stress.