No abstract

The incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated tonsil cancer is increasing but the prevalence of HPV, and of premalignant precursors, in tonsil tissue is unknown. We aimed to assess prevalence of HPV infection in nonmalignant tonsillar crypt epithelia and to histopathologically characterise positive samples. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tonsil tissue specimens were obtained from an age-and sex-stratified random sample of patients aged 0-69 years whose paired tonsils were archived following elective tonsillectomy at hospitals throughout England and Southern Scotland from 2004 to 2008. Homogenised fresh-frozen tonsil tissue was also obtained from archive for two random subsets of males aged 25-34 and over 44. HPV status was assessed in all samples for 20 mucosal HPV types by GP51/61 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) enzyme immunoassay and by HPV16 type-specific PCR targeting the E6 gene. In the homogenised material, HPV status was also assessed for 44 HPV types by SPF10-PCR enzyme immunoassay. Of 4,095 randomly sampled FFPE specimens, amplifiable DNA was extracted from 3,377 (82.5%) and from 511 of 524 (97.5%) homogenised tonsils. HPV DNA was identified in 0 of 3,377 (0%, 95% CI 0-0.089%) fixed samples and 0 of 511 (0%, 95% CI 0-0.58%) homogenised samples. This suggests HPV infection may be rare in tonsil reticulated crypt epithelia. Furthermore, we found no evidence of HPV-associated premalignant neoplasia. These data suggest that if HPV-associated premalignant lesions do occur, they are likely to be rare and may have a high risk of progression to carcinoma.Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) arises predominantly from the tonsils and base of the tongue. Tobacco and alcohol are known risk factors for OPSCC, but a growing proportion of cases are attributable to oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV). 1-3 A meta-analysis of contemporary studies estimated the proportion of OPSCC associated with HPV to be 70% in North America and 73% in Europe, 4 and recent decades have seen sharp increases in the overall incidence of HPV-associated OPSCC. [5][6][7] In the USA, between 1988 and 2004, incidence rates for HPV-associated OPSCC

No abstract

Addition of FGF2 induces rapid chondrocyte proliferation in wounded cartilage, chondrocytes adopt a cluster morphology and also express Notch1. Binding of sJ1 to Notch1 causes apoptosis overriding a proliferative response. This study may shed some light on the significance of increased Notch1 expression and its localisation in chondrocyte clusters in osteoarthritic cartilage.

Immune modulation is a key therapeutic approach for allergic diseases, asthma and autoimmunity. It can be achieved in an antigen‐specific manner via allergen immunotherapy (AIT) or in an endotype‐driven approach using biologicals that target the major pathways of the type 2 (T2) immune response: immunoglobulin (Ig)E, interleukin (IL)‐5 and IL‐4/IL‐13 or non‐type 2 response: anti‐cytokine antibodies and B‐cell depletion via anti‐CD20. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) vaccination provides an excellent opportunity to tackle the global pandemics and is currently being applied in an accelerated rhythm worldwide. The vaccine exerts its effects through immune modulation, induces and amplifies the response against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS‐CoV‐2). Thus, as there may be a discernible interference between these treatment modalities, recommendations on how they should be applied in sequence are expected. The European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) assembled an expert panel under its Research and Outreach Committee (ROC). This expert panel evaluated the evidence and have formulated recommendations on the administration of COVID‐19 vaccine in patients with allergic diseases and asthma receiving AIT or biologicals. The panel also formulated recommendations for COVID‐19 vaccine in association with biologicals targeting the type 1 or type 3 immune response. In formulating recommendations, the panel evaluated the mechanisms of COVID‐19 infection, of COVID‐19 vaccine, of AIT and of biologicals and considered the data published for other anti‐infectious vaccines administered concurrently with AIT or biologicals.