Benign and Malignant Tumors of the Head and Neck

Neligan, Peter C.

doi:10.1007/978-1-84882-513-0_20

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

References 63 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Radiotherapy (RT), also known as radiation therapy, is an effective non-surgical tumour treatment modality that has become one of the main methods to treat an array of cancers, including head and neck malignancies [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. Head and neck tumours (HNTs) can either be malignant or benign [ 4 ] with the most common type of head and neck cancer being epithelial in origin called squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs); its progression includes the accumulation of genetic and epigenetic modifications occurring throughout multiple steps [ 5 ]. The main mucosal anatomical locations in which SSCs develop include the sinonasal cavity, the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx and upper oesophagus [ 6 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effect of Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy to the Head and Neck Region on the Oral Innate Immune Response and Oral Microbiome: A Prospective Cohort Study of Head and Neck Tumour Patients

Mojdami

Barbour

Oveisi

et al. 2022

IJMS

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Neutrophils, also known as polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), form a significant component of the innate host response, and the consequence of the interaction between the oral microbiota and PMNs is a crucial determinant of oral health status. The impact of radiation therapy (RT) for head and neck tumour (HNT) treatment on the oral innate immune system, neutrophils in particular, and the oral microbiome has not been thoroughly investigated. Therefore, the objective of this study was to characterize RT-mediated changes in oral neutrophils (oPMNs) and the oral microbiome in patients undergoing RT to treat HNTs. Oral rinse samples were collected prior to, during and post-RT from HNT patients receiving RT at Dental Oncology at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. The oPMNs counts and activation states were analysed using flow cytometry, and the oral microbiome was analysed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Statistically significant (p < 0.05) drops in oPMN counts and the activation states of the CD11b, CD16, CD18, CD64 and H3Cit markers from pre-RT to post-RT were observed. Moreover, exposure to RT caused a significant reduction in the relative abundance of commensal Gram-negative bacteria and increased the commensal Gram-positive microbes. Ionizing radiation for the treatment of HNTs simultaneously decreased the recruitment of oPMNs into the oral cavity and suppressed their activation state. The oral microbiome composition post-RT was altered significantly due to RT which may favour the colonization of specific microbial communities unfavourable for the long-term development of a balanced oral microbiome.

show abstract