Active clinical trials for "Head and Neck Neoplasms"

The investigators want to verify the hypothesis that targeting the calcium-activated (KCa3.1) and the voltage-dependent K channel (Kv1.3) could be a valuable therapeutic strategy to reprogram cells of the innate immune system, with the aim to fight glioma, a deadly CNS tumor. The investigators will use murine models of glioma, injecting GL261 cells in the brain of syngeneic C57BL6 mice, to study the effect of K channel inhibition on the activation of microglia (M), macrophages (Mf) and NK cells. The investigators will use M and vesicles released from these cells, re-educated toward an anti-tumor phenotype, to interfere with the vicious circle responsible of uncontrolled tumor growth and will study the role of NK cells in tumor-M/Mf communication. The investigators will also investigate how K channels interfere with the communication of innate immune cells and brain cells like neurons and astrocytes, with experiments focused on synaptic transmission and calcium imaging, investigating the effect of modulation of the tumor microenvironment.

The aim of this study is to assess the effect of RT or chemo-RT on chemosensory gustatory function in patients with HNC. By using detailed dosimetric data derived from the RT planning system, we will be able to calculate mean radiation doses to important structures including the anterior and posterior tongue, oral cavity, parotid and submandibular salivary glands, and correlate them with both qualitative and quantitative data for dysgeusia.

Background Post-radiotherapy head and neck cancer (HANC) patients are at increased risk of dental caries and periodontal disease due to radiation-related damage to the teeth and salivary glands. Currently the exact aetiology of post-radiotherapy dental disease, and variation in its incidence and severity based on tumour location and radiotherapy dose, is poorly understood. Consequently there is a lack of clear guidance on how HANC patients should be dentally managed both before and after their radiotherapy. Aim The aim of this study is to quantify the relationship between dental radiation dose, 'spared' parotid gland radiation dose, tumour location, and post-radiotherapy dental disease. Methods A prospective cohort study will be undertaken in HANC patients treated with radiotherapy. A total of 215 patients will be recruited over a period of 2.5 years. Participants will be assessed and rendered dentally fit prior to radiotherapy in the School of Dentistry, Belfast. All patients will be followed-up at 6, 12, and 24-months post-radiotherapy. Data to be collected at each visit will include: total number of carious teeth, periodontal disease indices, salivary flow rates, diet, oral hygiene, mouth opening, xerostomia and oral health-related quality of life. Radiotherapy, including individual tissue-dose exposures, will be prescribed by the Clinical Oncology team as per current practice. Doses to the teeth and 'spared' parotid gland will be determined using radiotherapy research software (Non-Clinical Eclipse System sold by Varian Medical Systems UK Ltd). Using appropriate statistical tests, data analysis will determine the relationship between dental disease, radiation dose, and tumour location. Anticipated variation in the incidence and severity of post-radiotherapy dental disease based on the radiotherapy dose and tumour location, will inform the development of a clinical risk-assessment tool that will allow dentists to categorise patients as 'high' or 'low' risk of future disease. Guidelines regarding pre-radiotherapy dental extractions and post-radiotherapy preventative strategies will also be developed and will advise clinicians based on this risk assessment. A micro-costings study will be undertaken to evaluate patient and healthcare costs associated with the diagnosis and management of pre- and post-radiotherapy dental disease.

This study will be focused on HNC patients who have been diagnosed with HNC between 01-Jan-2013 and 30-Sep-2016.

RATIONALE: Studying samples of blood and tumor tissue from patients with cancer in the laboratory may help doctors learn more about changes that occur in DNA and identify biomarkers related to cancer. PURPOSE: This research study is looking at blood and tissue samples from patients with larynx cancer, pharynx cancer, or oral cavity cancer.

RATIONALE: Gathering information over time about patients' quality-of-life and satisfaction with care may help doctors plan the best treatment and help patients live more comfortably. PURPOSE: This randomized clinical trial is studying quality-of-life assessment in patients with head and neck cancer treated with radiation therapy.

The participants are being asked to get this PET scan because the participants have or may have cancer in the central nervous system (head, neck, or spine), and the investigator and the patient's physician thinks that this scan may provide useful information for the participant's treatment. Primary Objective To provide expanded access to L-[11C]methionine as a positron-emitting tracer in children and young adults for the positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of neoplasms of the central nervous system (CNS) and head and neck to guide therapeutic management of disease.

The purpose of this study is to provide ZD1839 for those patients with locally advanced and/or metastatic non-operable non-small cell lung cancer (stage III or IV) or recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell head and neck cancer who receive the therapy on an expanded access basis due to their inability to meet eligibility criteria for on-going recruiting trials, inability to participate in other clinical trials (e.g., poor performance status, lack of geographic proximity), or because other medical interventions are not considered appropriate or acceptable.

The distribution of stable (non-radioactive) isotopes in living organisms is increasingly studied, in particular the zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and iron (Fe), not only in primitive organisms, but also in mammals. The scientific community shows a growing interest in the study of the isotopic distribution of Cu in humans: this distribution can vary according to gender or nutrition. Concerning pathology, the isotopic distribution of Cu seems interesting in Wilson's disease or in cirrhosis. Additionally, a promising area of study focuses on the role of Cu in cancerous tumors, neoangiogenesis, the mechanisms of free radicals reduction and signaling pathways. Head and neck cancers are sensitive to platinum salts. Links between platinum and Cu are important: platinum penetrates into the cell through a Cu receptor, it interacts with the regulation mechanisms of Cu and platinum. Preliminary studies suggest a variation of the measurable isotopic distribution of Zn in patients with breast tumor and of Cu in patients presenting breast as well as colorectal tumors. The Larner et al. study suggest a promising role of Zn in breast cancer, indeed, results highlight a variation of distribution of Zn in 10 breast tumors. Concerning the study of Télouk et al. on 8 patients presenting colorectal tumors and 20 patients presenting breast tumors, results are in favor of an increase of mortality when Cu 65 is decreased in the serum and the isotopic modifications happen earlier than usual modifications of biochemical tumor markers such as: carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19.9, Carcinoma Antigen (CA) 15.3, Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Currently, there is no information about the distribution of the stable isotopes of Cu in head and neck tumors. The objective of the study is to determine if the distribution of 65Cu / 63Cu is modified in tumoral tissues compared to healthy tissues. The isotopic distribution of the Cu in 2 tumor types, head and neck tumors and lymphomas, will be also investigated in order to determine if this distribution is specific of a tumor type or not. In case of positivity of this variation, the prognostic interest of these parameters will be evaluated.

Use by Oncologists of Validated Geriatric Assessment Tools: G8 Screening Test and Certain Tests for Thorough Geriatric Evaluation