No abstract

Cellular senescence suppresses cancer by preventing the proliferation of damaged cells, but senescent cells can also promote cancer though the pro-inflammatory senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Simvastatin, an HMG-coA reductase inhibitor, is known to attenuate inflammation and prevent certain cancers. Here, we show that simvastatin decreases the SASP of senescent human fibroblasts by inhibiting protein prenylation, without affecting the senescent growth arrest. The Rho family GTPases Rac1 and Cdc42 were activated in senescent cells, and simvastatin reduced both activities. Further, geranylgeranyl transferase, Rac1 or Cdc42 depletion reduced IL-6 secretion by senescent cells. We also show that simvastatin mitigates the effects of senescent conditioned media on breast cancer cell proliferation and endocrine resistance. Our findings identify a novel activity of simvastatin and mechanism of SASP regulation. They also suggest that senescent cells, which accumulate after radio/chemo therapy, promote endocrine resistance in breast cancer and that simvastatin might suppress this resistance.

Cervicofacial actinomycosis is known to affect many soft tissues and bony structures in the head and neck. However to the authors' knowledge, actinomycosis of the post-cricoid region has not been previously reported. A case of a 74-year-old male who developed actinomycosis of the post-cricoid region after radiotherapy for a laryngeal carcinoma is presented. Actinomycosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of dysphagia following radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx, as early treatment is likely to result in a favourable outcome.

Dermoid cysts are rare benign tumours, they represent the simplest form of teratoma. Approximately seven per cent affect the head and neck region, within this region they are frequently encountered in the area of the lateral eyebrow, the orbit and the nose. A case of a 17-year-old girl who developed a rapidly growing facial swelling due to an infratemporal fossa dermoid cyst is presented. A review of the literature using Medline has not revealed any previous reports of similar cases. The lesion was completely excised using a lateral approach to the infratemporal fossa.

A case of spontaneous, isolated supraglottic haemorrhage in a patient recently started with warfarin sodium treatment is described. The symptoms of sore throat, dysphonia, stridor, dysphagia or a neck swelling in a patient taking anticoagulants should alert the clinician to the possibility of this rare but potentially fatal complication.