Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Xue-Song Sun, Zhi-Wen Xiao, Sai-Lan Liu, Rui Sun, Dong-Hua Luo, Qiu-Yan Chen, Hai-Qiang Mai
Summary: This study developed and validated a nomogram model to predict the overall survival of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma without distant metastasis. The model incorporates clinical characteristics, serum biomarkers, and the presence of nasopharyngeal necrosis.
EUROPEAN RADIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Ping Zhou, Juan Zhou, Chen-Lu Lian, Yi-Feng Yu, Rui Zhou, Qin Lin, San-Gang Wu
Summary: This study found that positive post-IMRT EBV DNA is associated with poor prognosis in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Xiaotian Xu, Fangze Wei, Lin Xiao, Runye Wu, Baojun Wei, Shengkai Huang, Junlin Yi, Wei Cui
Summary: This study aims to identify immune-related prognostic factors for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) after radiotherapy and establish a prognostic model for predicting progression-free survival (PFS) and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS). The study collected clinical information and investigated immune cells, EBV DNA and cytokines from NPC patients. Cox regression and LASSO regression were used to screen the prognostic factors and build nomograms. The results were also validated in a separate set of patients.
JOURNAL OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Wanxia Li, Chao Yang, Feipeng Zhao, Junzheng Li, Zonghua Li, Ping Ouyang, Xiaofei Yuan, Shuting Wu, Yue Yuan, Linchong Cui, Huiru Feng, Danfan Lin, Zilu Chen, Juan Lu, Xiaohong Peng, Jing Chen
Summary: The study found that smoking has a negative impact on the prognosis of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), with a dose-dependent effect on survival outcomes. Furthermore, the combination of cumulative smoking consumption and pre-treatment EBV DNA levels was identified as an independent predictor of poor prognosis in male NPC.
Article
Oncology
Xin Wang, Nuo Yu, Guowei Cheng, Tao Zhang, Jianyang Wang, Lei Deng, Jiao Li, Xiaotian Zhao, Yang Xu, Peng Yang, Na Bai, Yin Li, Nan Bi
Summary: In this study, ctDNA was identified as a robust biomarker for early detection of disease progression and prognosis stratification after RT/CRT in ESCC. Detectable ctDNA at week 4 of RT/CRT might indicate higher local recurrence risks, implying the potential clinical utility of ctDNA tests in guiding post-RT/CRT treatments for locoregional control in ESCC.
CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Shan-Shan Guo, Yu-Jing Liang, Li-Ting Liu, Qiu-Yan Chen, Yue-Feng Wen, Sai-Lan Liu, Xue-Song Sun, Qing-Nan Tang, Xiao-Yun Li, Hai-Qiang Mai, Lin-Quan Tang
Summary: The study identified Angiogenin (ANG) as a potential molecular marker for predicting tumor recurrence and progression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients. Increased expression of ANG was associated with radioresistance and poor prognosis in NPC. A nomogram model based on ANG expression was developed to predict overall survival in NPC patients.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Dan-Ning Dong, Pei-Wen Fan, Ya-Ning Feng, Gui-Hai Liu, Yan-Chun Peng, Tao Dong, Ruo-Zheng Wang, Jin-Ming Yu
Summary: In patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, high expression of circulating CD39+CD8+ T cells is associated with a reduced risk of distant metastasis and improved progression-free survival.
CHINESE MEDICAL JOURNAL
(2021)
Review
Otorhinolaryngology
Wai Tong Ng, Raymond K. Y. Tsang, Jonathan J. Beitler, Remco de Bree, Andres Coca-Pelaz, Avraham Eisbruch, Orlando Guntinas-Lichius, Anne W. M. Lee, Antti A. Makitie, William M. Mendenhall, Sandra Nuyts, Alessandra Rinaldo, K. Thomas Robbins, Juan P. Rodrigo, Carl E. Silver, Ricard Simo, Robert Smee, Primoz Strojan, Robert P. Takes, Alfio Ferlito
Summary: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients often have regional nodal metastasis, with individualized treatment options being preferred. Understanding nodal risk and achieving optimal nodal control during radiotherapy is crucial.
HEAD AND NECK-JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES AND SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK
(2021)
Review
Oncology
Chiara Trevisiol, Massimo Gion, Alberto Vaona, Aline S. C. Fabricio, Elisa Roca, Lisa Licitra, Salvatore Alfieri, Paolo Bossi
Summary: The study investigated the clinical utility of circulating EBV-DNA (cEBV-DNA) in clinical practice guidelines and found that half of the available guidelines provide recommendations for its clinical use, but there are still methodological issues in standardizing the quantitative determination of cEBV-DNA.
Article
Oncology
Yi-Jun Hua, Yan-Feng Ou-Yang, Xiong Zou, Le Xia, Dong-Hua Luo, Ming-Yuan Chen
Summary: Radiotherapy is crucial for nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients, with a typical treatment duration of six to six and a half weeks. Prolonged radiotherapy duration is associated with higher risk of distant metastasis and death, highlighting the importance of avoiding prolonged treatment to improve outcomes.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Xi-Zhao Li, Yi-Jun Tu, Ting Zhou, Jiang-Bo Zhang, Ruo-Wen Xiao, Da-Wei Yang, Pei-Fen Zhang, Peng-Tao You, Xiao-Hui Zheng
Summary: MiR-483-5p is highly expressed in NPC and is associated with poor prognosis of NPC patients. Inhibiting its expression can suppress the migration and invasion of NPC cells, with its target identified as EGR3, the downregulation of which enhances the migration and invasion capacities of NPC cells.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Tao Zhu, Jun-Yan He, Yan-Ping Liu, Kun Deng, Jian-Hong Zuo, Xiao-Hong Ai
Summary: This retrospective study evaluated the expression and prognostic value of ALDH1B1 in locally advanced NPC patients, showing that high ALDH1B1 expression is associated with age and radiotherapy response, and has a negative impact on overall survival.
TRANSLATIONAL CANCER RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Otorhinolaryngology
Lianlian Yang, Yinyin Xue, Zhigong Wei, Kexing Ren, Zheran Liu, Tangel Chang, Xingchen Peng, Yonglin Su, Yan Li
Summary: Local radiotherapy to metastatic lesions might be a protective factor for patients with metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (mNPC) as shown in the study involving 109 patients with mNPC. The overall survival rates were significantly higher in patients who received local radiotherapy compared to those who did not receive radiotherapy to metastatic lesions.
HEAD AND NECK-JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES AND SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK
(2022)
Article
Otorhinolaryngology
Xixi Liu, Jing Huang, You Qin, Zhanjie Zhang, Bian Wu, Kunyu Yang
Summary: This study found that tumor response at mid-radiotherapy can predict disease-free survival and overall survival in patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Several predictive models based on this finding were established, which showed favorable accuracy.
HEAD AND NECK-JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES AND SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Tianyu Gong, Yupeng Liu, Huiqun Jie, Min Liang, Wenjin Wu, Jingrong Lu
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in children and adolescents of different age groups. The results showed that the diagnosis in the children group relied on endoscopic biopsy and neck mass biopsy, with a higher proportion of keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma. The number of cases receiving induction chemotherapy and concurrent chemoradiotherapy in the children group was lower compared to the adolescent group, and the proportion of radiotherapy in the upper and lower cervical lymph node drainage areas was also lower in the children group. Therefore, it is important to improve the understanding of the clinical characteristics of children with NPC and implement appropriate treatment strategies.
FRONTIERS IN PEDIATRICS
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Si-Qi Tang, Lei Chen, Wen-Fei Li, Anthony T. C. Chan, Shao Hui Huang, Melvin L. K. Chua, Brian O'Sullivan, Anne W. M. Lee, Nancy Y. Lee, Yuan Zhang, Yu-Pei Chen, Cheng Xu, Ying Sun, Ling-Long Tang, Jun Ma
Summary: By analyzing data from non-metastatic NPC patients, N2-3 or T4 patients were identified as ideal candidates for multicenter clinical trials in locoregionally advanced NPC. Stratification based on pre-treatment EBV DNA can identify high-risk patients, while detectable post-treatment EBV DNA indicates a high risk of progression.
RADIOTHERAPY AND ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Wai-Tong Ng, Cheuk-Wai Choi, Barton But, Roger K. C. Ngan, Stewart Tung, Ashley C. Cheng, Dora L. W. Kwong, Tai-Xiang Lu, Anthony T. C. Chan, Harry Yiu, Sarah Lee, Frank Wong, Kam-Tong Yuen, Richard J. Chappell, Anne W. M. Lee
Summary: The combination of cisplatin-based induction or adjuvant chemotherapy with concurrent chemoradiotherapy has been found to improve overall survival in patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The optimal platinum doses for the concurrent and induction/adjuvant phases were determined to be 160 mg/m(2) and 260 mg/m(2) respectively.
CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Michael L. M. Cheung, Vivian U. Y. Chow, Monica W. K. Kan, Anthony T. C. Chan
Summary: This study evaluated the impact of material assignment in the nasal cavity on dose calculation for nasopharyngeal carcinoma treatment using the Acuros XB algorithm. The results showed that assigning the nasal cavity to the lung instead of air resulted in higher calculated doses. This could potentially lead to underdosing of the target volumes, highlighting the importance of accurate material assignment in dose calculation.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED CLINICAL MEDICAL PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Medical Laboratory Technology
Stephanie C. Y. Yu, Jiaen Deng, Rong Qiao, Suk Hang Cheng, Wenlei Peng, So Ling Lau, L. Y. Lois Choy, Tak Y. Leung, John Wong, Vincent Wai-Sun Wong, Grace L. H. Wong, Peiyong Jiang, Rossa W. K. Chiu, K. C. Allen Chan, Y. M. Dennis Lo
Summary: Recent studies have highlighted the presence of a substantial amount of analyzable long cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in plasma through single molecule, real-time (SMRT) sequencing. In this study, the size biases of SMRT sequencing by PacBio and nanopore sequencing by ONT were evaluated. The results showed that both platforms had biases towards sequencing longer DNA fragments, with PacBio showing a stronger bias. Tissue-of-origin analysis based on single-molecule methylation patterns performed comparably on both platforms. It is important to be aware of the analytical characteristics and biases of the sequencing platforms used when analyzing the size and end motif of cfDNA.
CLINICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Vivien W. S. Chu, Monica W. K. Kan, Louis K. Y. Lee, Kenneth C. W. Wong, Anthony T. C. Chan
Summary: The study investigated the effects of magnetic field gradients on dose deposition in an inhomogeneous medium and demonstrated the benefits of magnetic-field-modulated radiotherapy (MagMRT) under multiple radiation beams. Monte Carlo simulations showed that the magnitudes of dose enhancement and reduction induced by the magnetic field gradients were more prominent in lower density mediums. MagMRT induced dose enhancement at the iso-center and dose reduction in regions around the tumor when multiple radiation beams were used. Optimized magnetic field gradients in MagMRT resulted in a sharper dose fall-off in all directions outside the target volume, providing a better sparing to the surrounding normal tissue.
BIOMEDICAL PHYSICS & ENGINEERING EXPRESS
(2022)
Article
Oncology
A. T. C. Chan, V. H. F. Lee, R-L Hong, M. -J. Ahn, W. Q. Chong, S. -B. Kim, G. F. Ho, P. B. Caguioa, N. Ngamphaiboon, C. Ho, M. A. S. A. Aziz, Q. S. Ng, C. -J. Yen, N. Soparattanapaisarn, R. K. -C Ngan, S. K. Kho, M. L. A. Tiambeng, T. Yun, V. Sriuranpong, A. P. Algazi, A. Cheng, E. Massarelli, R. F. Swaby, S. Saraf, J. Yuan, L. L. Siu
Summary: Pembrolizumab showed robust antitumor activity and manageable safety in patients with platinum-pretreated recurrent and/or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma. However, it did not significantly improve overall survival compared with chemotherapy.
ANNALS OF ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
W. K. Jacky Lam, Ann D. King, Jacob A. Miller, Zhiwei Liu, Kelly J. Yu, Melvin L. K. Chua, Brigette B. Y. Ma, Ming Yuan Chen, Benjamin A. Pinsky, Pei-Jen Lou, John K. S. Woo, Wan-Lun Hsu, Julia Simon, Denise L. Doolan, Tim Waterboer, Edwin P. Hui, Hui Li, Raymond K. Tsang, Kenneth C. W. Wong, Julian P. Goh, Alexander C. Vlantis, Qi Yong Ai, Lun M. Wong, Victor Abdullah, Jin Ching Lin, Chien-Jen Chen, Ruth M. Pfeiffer, Quynh-Thu Le, Anne W. M. Lee, Mingfang Ji, Sumei Cao, Jun Ma, Anthony T. C. Chan, K. C. Allen Chan, Allan Hildesheim
Summary: A meeting of experts in November 2021 discussed the performance and cost-effectiveness of EBV-based approaches for screening early stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Both serum EBV antibody and plasma EBV DNA testing methods were found to be favorable. Additionally, the use of MRI was recommended to increase the sensitivity of NPC detection without greatly impacting the cost-effectiveness of the screening program.
JNCI-JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lili Li, Xing-sheng Shu, Hua Geng, Jianming Ying, Lei Guo, Jie Luo, Tingxiu Xiang, Longtao Wu, Brigette B. Y. Ma, Anthony T. C. Chan, Xiaofeng Zhu, Richard F. Ambinder, Qian Tao
Summary: Peptides/small proteins encoded by noncanonical open reading frames (ORF) of previously claimed non-coding RNAs have important biological functions but are largely uncharacterized. In this study, we identified and validated a small protein SP0495 as a novel tumor suppressor, frequently inactivated by promoter methylation in multiple tumors. SP0495 functions as a phosphoinositide-binding protein, regulating AKT signaling activation and autophagy. It inhibits tumor cell growth and induces apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, senescence, and autophagy through multiple mechanisms, including the modulation of phosphoinositides turnover and autophagic/proteasomal degradation of autophagy regulators. SP0495 has the potential to be a biomarker for cancer diagnosis and prognosis.
CELL DEATH AND DIFFERENTIATION
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ze Zhou, Mary-Jane L. Ma, Rebecca W. Y. Chan, W. K. Jacky Lam, Wenlei Peng, Wanxia Gai, Xi Hu, Spencer C. Ding, Lu Ji, Qing Zhou, Peter P. H. Cheung, Stephanie C. Y. Yu, Jeremy Y. C. Teoh, Cheuk-Chun Szeto, John Wong, Vincent W. S. Wong, Grace L. H. Wong, Stephen L. Chan, Edwin P. Hui, Brigette B. Y. Ma, Anthony T. C. Chan, Rossa W. K. Chiu, K. C. Allen Chan, Y. M. Dennis Lo, Peiyong Jiang
Summary: Using a non-negative matrix factorization algorithm, this study identified distinct types of cfDNA cleavage patterns based on different end motifs. These profiles were associated with specific DNA nucleases and could be used to diagnose autoimmune disorders and cancer.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Shweta Mahajan, Hayri E. Balcioglu, Astrid Oostvogels, Willem A. Dik, K. C. Allen Chan, Kwok-Wai Lo, Edwin P. Hui, Anna Tsang, Joanna Tong, Wai Kei Jacky Lam, Kenneth Wong, Anthony T. C. Chan, Brigette B. Y. Ma, Reno Debets
Summary: Post-radiotherapy clearance of plasma EBV DNA is associated with prognosis in NPC patients. T cells, particularly CD8+ T cells expressing CCR1, 4 and/or 5, play a role in this clearance process. Differences in chemo-attractants related to T-cell chemotaxis are also linked to clinical outcome. Validation in larger cohorts is needed to confirm these findings.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Nancy Y. Lee, Jonathan Harris, John Kim, Adam Garden, James Mechalakos, David G. Pfister, Anthony T. C. Chan, Kenneth Hu, A. Dimitrios Colevas, Steven Frank, George Shenouda, Voichita Bar-Ad, John N. Waldron, Paul M. Harari, Adam Raben, Pedro Torres-Saavedra, Quynh-Thu Le
Summary: The study aimed to assess the long-term toxic effects and clinical outcomes associated with adding bevacizumab, a vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor, to standard chemoradiation for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The results showed favorable long-term outcomes and no severe adverse events when using bevacizumab in combination with chemoradiation. Further investigation may be warranted.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Stephanie C. Y. Yu, L. Y. Lois Choy, Y. M. Dennis Lo
Summary: Liquid biopsy using cell-free DNA (cfDNA) has gained global interest as a molecular diagnostic tool. Recent studies have discovered long cfDNA in the plasma of pregnant women and cancer patients, opening up a new avenue of long cfDNA-based liquid biopsy. This review summarizes the current knowledge in this nascent field of long cfDNA analysis, focusing on its fragmentomic and epigenetic features. Long-read sequencing enables single-molecule methylation analysis, which has promising clinical potential in prenatal and cancer testing. The limitations hindering the immediate clinical applications of long cfDNA analysis and the efforts to address them are also discussed. With concerted efforts, long cfDNA analysis is expected to contribute to the expanding armamentarium of liquid biopsy.
MOLECULAR DIAGNOSIS & THERAPY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
W. K. Jacky Lam, Anthony T. C. Chan
Summary: A recent study has identified a new serological biomarker for NPC screening that targets the EBV protein BNLF2b. This biomarker demonstrated higher sensitivity and specificity for NPC detection compared with conventional antibodies.
NATURE REVIEWS CLINICAL ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Claire Petit, Anne Lee, Jun Ma, Benjamin Lacas, Wai Tong Ng, Anthony T. C. Chan, Ruey-Long Hong, Ming-Yuan Chen, Lei Chen, Wen-Fei Li, Pei-Yu Huang, Terence Tan, Roger K. C. Ngan, Guopei Zhu, Hai-Qiang Mai, Edwin P. Hui, George Fountzilas, Li Zhang, Alexandra Carmel, Dora L. W. Kwong, James Moon, Jean Bourhis, Anne Auperin, Jean-Pierre Pignon, Pierre Blanchard
Summary: This study updated the evaluation of chemotherapy for nasopharynx carcinoma through a network meta-analysis. The results showed that the addition of induction chemotherapy or adjuvant chemotherapy to chemoradiotherapy improved overall survival for patients with non-metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma compared to chemoradiotherapy alone.
