Article
Oncology
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the safety of head and neck cancer surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic. The data from 1137 patients in 26 countries revealed potential cross-infection risks between patients and the surgical team.
Article
Otorhinolaryngology
Joshua Adam Thompson, Joshua E. Lubek, Neha Amin, Reju Joy, Donita Dyalram, Robert A. Ord, Rodney J. Taylor, Jeffrey S. Wolf, Ranee Mehra, Kevin J. Cullen, Jason K. Molitoris, Matthew Witek, John C. Papadimitriou, Robert E. Morales, Kyle M. Hatten
Summary: This study aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on head and neck oncologic care. Results showed a decrease in treatment modifications, outpatient visits, and procedural volume during the pandemic period.
OTOLARYNGOLOGY-HEAD AND NECK SURGERY
(2022)
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Leticia Rodrigues-Oliveira, Elisa Kauark-Fontes, Carolina Guimaraes Bonfim Alves, Juliana Ono Tonaki, Luiz Alcino Gueiros, Karina Moutinho, Gustavo Nader Marta, Luciana Rodrigues Carvalho Barros, Alan Roger Santos-Silva, Thais Bianca Brandao, Ana Carolina Prado-Ribeiro
Summary: The study found that anxiety, depression, and distress levels in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy did not increase during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients were afraid of being infected by COVID-19, but still complied with their cancer treatment.
Article
Oncology
Mark Farrugia, Han Yu, Sung Jun Ma, Austin J. Iovoli, Kayleigh Erickson, Elizabeth Wendel, Kristopher Attwood, Kimberly E. Wooten, Vishal Gupta, Ryan P. McSpadden, Moni A. Kuriakose, Michael R. Markiewicz, Jon M. Chan, Wesley L. Hicks, Mary E. Platek, Andrew D. Ray, Elizabeth A. Repasky, Anurag K. Singh
Summary: The study found that providing financial counseling for head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy significantly reduced financial difficulties at the end of treatment, stabilizing financial difficulty scores.
Article
Oncology
Bridgette Thom, Catherine Benedict, Danielle N. Friedman, Samantha E. Watson, Michelle S. Zeitler, Fumiko Chino
Summary: The study found that negative economic events during the COVID-19 pandemic and medical-related cost-coping behaviors were significantly correlated with cancer-related financial toxicity. Young adult survivors are facing severe financial hardship and require multilevel, systematic interventions to address their financial needs.
Article
Otorhinolaryngology
Sabrina Brar, Enyi Ofo, Nicholas Hyde, Dae Kim, Tunde Odutoye, David Allin, Aleix Rovira
Summary: The study analyzed the complication outcomes of COVID-19 negative patients undergoing elective head and neck surgery during the pandemic. No mortalities were recorded in the analyzed patient cohort, and it was found that careful pre-operative screening and post-operative care in a COVID-19 clean ward can allow head and neck surgery to proceed safely. This data could help minimize treatment delays by allowing more elective head and neck cancer operations to proceed.
EUROPEAN ARCHIVES OF OTO-RHINO-LARYNGOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Otorhinolaryngology
Maheo Clementine, Clement Camille, Archimede Swann, Zarrin Alavi, Marianowski Remi, Leclere Jean-Christophe
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic did not significantly affect the time delay between cancer symptoms' onset and ENT specialist consultation in our study. Our findings suggest a decrease of 11% in the number of diagnostic procedures performed independently, a reduction in the delay between the ENT consultation and surgical treatment onset, and an increase of 10 days in the delay to adjuvant radiotherapy onset.
EUROPEAN ARCHIVES OF OTO-RHINO-LARYNGOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Sarah Nicole Hamilton, Nicole Chau, Eric Berthelet, Jonn Wu, Eric Tran, Melanie Chevrier, Victoria Lau, Matthew Chan, Kimberly DeVries, Vincent LaPointe, Robert A. Olson
Summary: This study found that complication rates during head and neck radiotherapy were similar during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic era at our institution, but weight loss was more significant and patients reported more severe coughing/choking while eating.
SUPPORTIVE CARE IN CANCER
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Alexandria Harris, Jinhong Li, Karley Atchison, Christine Harrison, Daniel Hall, Tyler VanderWeele, Jonas T. Johnson, Marci L. Nilsen
Summary: This study evaluates the relationship between demographics, clinical characteristics, and posttreatment symptom burden with the subjective sense of flourishing among head and neck cancer survivors. The results suggest that late- and long-term side effects of treatment and financial hardship are associated with lower levels of flourishing.
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
T. K. Batra, M. R. Tilak, E. Pai, N. Verma, B. K. Gupta, G. Yadav, R. K. Dubey, N. J. Francis, M. Pandey
Summary: The study conducted on 21 patients undergoing head and neck cancer surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic showed an increase in pre-induction tracheostomies, prolonged hospital stays, and higher rate of surgery postponements. However, there was no significant difference in postoperative morbidity and mortality. Despite the increased rescheduling of surgeries, definitive cancer care surgery was not deferred to ensure maximum safety for patients and healthcare workers.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Austin R. Waters, Sara Bybee, Echo L. Warner, Heydon K. Kaddas, Erin E. Kent, Anne C. Kirchhoff
Summary: In the United States, the cost of cancer treatment can lead to severe financial burden for cancer survivors, which has been exacerbated by the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. LGBTQIA+ adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivors may face elevated financial burden due to their multiple intersecting identities. Research shows that LGBTQIA+ AYAs reported worse financial toxicity, perceived stress, anxiety, and depression compared to non-LGBTQIA+ AYAs.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Silvia Heckel, Christopher Bohr, Johannes Meier, Julia Maurer, Julian Kuenzel, Karolina Mueller, Oliver Koelbl, Torsten Reichert, Veronika Vielsmeier, Isabella Gruber
Summary: This study analyzed the treatment quality of a head and neck cancer center during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results showed that there was no decrease in diagnoses or shift in stages, and the frequency of surgery and radiotherapy remained the same. The time between diagnosis and surgery was reduced.
JOURNAL OF CANCER RESEARCH AND CLINICAL ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Otorhinolaryngology
Laurence Gascon, Isabelle Fournier, Carlos Chiesa-Estomba, Gennaro Russo, Nicolas Fakhry, Jerome R. Lechien, Lisa Burnell, Sebastien Vergez, Osama Metwaly, Pasquale Capasso, Tareck Ayad
Summary: This review summarizes practice recommendations for managing head and neck cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing adjustments in new patient referrals, surgical prioritization, and operating room precautions, while highlighting the importance of timely treatment for high-grade malignancies despite the pandemic.
EUROPEAN ARCHIVES OF OTO-RHINO-LARYNGOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Anem Iftikhar, Mohammad Islam, Simon Shepherd, Sarah Jones, Ian Ellis
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly altered the lifestyle of the general population and cancer patients, exacerbating the negative impact on the mental health of patients with head and neck cancer. The causative agent of COVID-19, SARS-CoV2, gains entry through the ACE2 receptor of the RAS, which can influence cancer and stress levels.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Aaron Domack, Morgan M. Sandelski, Syed Ali, Keith E. Blackwell, Marisa Buchakjian, Andres M. Bur, Steven B. Cannady, Carlos X. Castellanos, Yadranko Ducic, Tamer A. Ghanem, Andrew T. Huang, Ryan S. Jackson, Niels Kokot, Shawn Li, Patrik Pipkorn, Sidharth V. Puram, Rod Rezaee, Karthik Rajasekaran, Yelizaveta Shnayder, Uttam K. Sinha, Daniel Sukato, Neeraj Suresh, Akina Tamaki, Carissa M. Thomas, Eric J. Thorpe, Mark K. Wax, Sara Yang, Andrea Ziegler, Amy L. Pittman
Summary: COVID-19 infection does not increase the risk of free flap complications in patients undergoing head and neck free flap reconstruction. However, these patients are at increased risk of medical complications.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Eric T. Roberts, Jennifer M. Mellor, Melissa P. McInerny, Lindsay M. Sabik
Summary: This study evaluates the impact of an abrupt drop-off in Medicaid dental coverage on access to dental care among low-income Medicare beneficiaries. The findings show that this coverage cliff exacerbates barriers to dental care access. Expanding dental coverage for Medicare beneficiaries, especially those who are ineligible for Medicaid, could alleviate this issue.
HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Samuel R. Wittman, Jonathan G. Yabes, Lindsay M. Sabik, Jeremy M. Kahn, Kristin N. Ray
Summary: Child and family factors, such as child age, race/ethnicity, parental educational attainment, household income, and geography, were found to be associated with the use of commercial direct-to-consumer telemedicine for pediatric acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) in 2018-2019.
TELEMEDICINE AND E-HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Renee Garrow, Jennifer M. Mellor, Melissa McInerney, Lindsay M. Sabik
Summary: This study examines the financial and health changes that occur when individuals newly enroll in Medicaid. The results show that new Medicaid participants often experience an increase in out-of-pocket medical expenses, a decrease in assets, and an increase in activities of daily living limitations. The study also observes financial changes among those continuously enrolled in Medicaid.
MEDICAL CARE RESEARCH AND REVIEW
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Huaibin Ge, Robert L. Ferris, Jing H. Wang
Summary: This study analyzed the dynamic changes of T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire in peripheral blood and tumor tissue of patients with cetuximab-treated HNSCC. The expansion of top TCR clonotypes in responder PBMC and TIL samples may serve as predictive markers for cetuximab response in HNSCCs. Data normalization is important for TCR repertoire analysis.
CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Zhongzhe Pan, Bassam Dahman, Rose S. Bono, Lindsay M. Sabik, Faye Z. Belgrave, Lauren Yerkes, Daniel E. Nixon, April D. Kimmel
Summary: This study found an association between physician reimbursement and retention in HIV care, with a stronger impact on non-Hispanic Black individuals.
JAIDS-JOURNAL OF ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROMES
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Marco A. Mascarella, Tolani F. Olonisakin, Purva Rumde, Varun Vendra, Melonie A. Nance, Seungwon Kim, Mark W. Kubik, Shaum S. Sridharan, Robert L. Ferris, Moon J. Fenton, Daniel R. Clayburgh, James P. Ohr, Sonali C. Joyce, Malabika Sen, James G. Herman, Jennifer R. Grandis, Dan P. Zandberg, Umamaheswa Duvvuri
Summary: A study investigated the relationship between response to neoadjuvant therapy and survival in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The analysis showed that patients who received targeted therapy had lower pathological stage migration and higher overall survival. The study also found a correlation between downstage migration and decreased levels of circulating tumor markers SOX17 and TAC1.
CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Teresa H. Thomas, Catherine Bender, Margaret Rosenzweig, Sarah Taylor, Susan M. Sereika, Dmitriy Babichenko, Kai-Lin You, Martha Ann Terry, Lindsay M. Sabik, Yael Schenker
Summary: This study aims to improve self-advocacy skills and patient-centered care for women with advanced cancer through the innovative game "Strong Together." This is the first large-scale intervention of its kind, providing critical information for researchers, clinicians, and stakeholders on how serious games can impact patient outcomes.
CONTEMPORARY CLINICAL TRIALS
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Robert I. Haddad, Kevin Harrington, Makoto Tahara, Robert L. Ferris, Maura Gillison, Jerome Fayette, Amaury Daste, Piotr Koralewski, Bogdan Zurawski, Miren Taberna, Nabil F. Saba, Milena Mak, Andrzej Kawecki, Gustavo Girotto, Miguel Angel Alvarez Avitia, Caroline Even, Joaquin Gabriel Reinoso Toledo, Alexander Guminski, Urs Muller-Richter, Naomi Kiyota, Mustimbo Roberts, Tariq Aziz Khan, Karen Miller-Moslin, Li Wei, Athanassios Argiris
Summary: In patients with recurrent/metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (R/M SCCHN), first-line nivolumab plus ipilimumab did not show a significant difference in overall survival compared to the standard treatment. However, there may be some advantages in certain populations, and it has a better safety profile.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Otorhinolaryngology
Emma De Ravin, Maria Armache, Frank Campbell, Kristin L. L. Rising, Brooke Worster, Nathan R. R. Handley, Christopher E. E. Fundakowski, David M. M. Cognetti, Leila J. J. Mady
Summary: This study evaluates the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of telehealth head and neck cancer survivorship care. A systematic review of 38 studies showed that telehealth models had good feasibility and cost-effectiveness in terms of patient enrollment, retention, adherence, and satisfaction. However, further investigations are needed due to the variability in study design and quality.
OTOLARYNGOLOGY-HEAD AND NECK SURGERY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Douglas M. M. Hildrew, Philip L. L. Perez, Leila J. J. Mady, Jinhong Li, Marci L. L. Nilsen, Barry E. E. Hirsch
Summary: The objective of this study was to determine tumor control rates and hearing outcomes for treating growing vestibular schwannoma (VS) with CyberKnife stereotactic radiosurgery (CK SRS) and propose a predictive model for hearing outcomes. A retrospective case series review was conducted on 127 patients who received CK SRS for growing VS. The tumor control rate was 94.5% and hearing preservation was achieved in a third of patients. The final predictive model included variables such as age, fundal cap distance (FCD), tumor volume, and maximum radiation dose to the cochlea.
Article
Urology & Nephrology
David T. Miller, Zhaojun Sun, Valentina Grajales, Kelly R. Pekala, Kirsten Y. Eom, Jonathan Yabes, Benjamin J. Davies, Lindsay M. Sabik, Bruce L. Jacobs
Summary: This study aimed to examine the association between area-level socioeconomic status, rural-urban residence, and type of insurance with overall and cancer-specific mortality among patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer. The study found that lower socioeconomic status and Medicare and Medicaid insurance were associated with a greater risk of overall mortality, while rural residence was not a significant factor.
Article
Cell Biology
Leila J. Mady, Yan Zhong, Puneet Dhawan, Sylvia Christakos
Summary: In this study, CARM1 was identified as a significant coactivator of 1,25(OH)(2)D-3, mediating the transcription of Cyp24a1 and acting as a repressor of CYP27B1. These findings highlight the key role of CARM1 in the regulation of 1,25(OH)(2)D-3's biological function.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Cathy J. Bradley, Lindsay M. Sabik, Rifei Liang, Richard C. Lindrooth, Marcelo C. Perraillon
Summary: This study compared the disparities in radiation and hormone therapy between women with breast cancer covered by Medicaid and those with private insurance. The findings suggest that cancer treatment disparities may be overestimated if based solely on cancer registry data.
Article
Pediatrics
Kristin N. Ray, Samuel R. Wittman, Jonathan G. Yabes, Lindsay M. Sabik, Alejandro Hoberman, Ateev Mehrotra
Summary: From 2018 to 2021, both brick and mortar pediatric practices and direct-to-consumer (DTC) telemedicine vendors were able to offer telemedicine visits for common acute pediatric concerns. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a significant increase in telemedicine visits to practice-based providers compared to telemedicine-only providers.
ACADEMIC PEDIATRICS
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Ayana T. Ruffin, Housaiyin Li, Lazar Vujanovic, Dan P. Zandberg, Robert L. Ferris, Tullia C. Bruno
Summary: Targeted immunotherapy has improved survival in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), but new immunotherapies considering the entire HNSCC tumour microenvironment are needed to enhance T cell responses. Recent advancements have provided a comprehensive understanding of the cellular constituents and interactions within the complex HNSCC microenvironment.
NATURE REVIEWS CANCER
(2023)