Tobacco smoke, alone or combined with alcohol, is the predominant cause of head and neck cancer (HNC). We explore how tobacco exposure contributes to cancer development by mutational signature analysis of 265 whole-genome sequenced HNC samples from eight countries. Six tobacco-associated mutational signatures were detected, including some not previously reported. Differences in HNC incidence between countries corresponded with differences in mutation burdens of tobacco-associated signatures, consistent with the dominant role of tobacco in HNC causation. Differences were found in the burden of tobacco-associated signatures between anatomical subsites, suggesting that tissue-specific factors modulate mutagenesis. We identified an association between tobacco smoking and alcohol-related signatures, indicating a combined effect of these exposures. Tobacco smoking was associated with differences in the mutational spectra, repertoire of driver mutations in cancer genes and patterns of copy number change. Our results demonstrate the multiple pathways by which tobacco smoke can influence the evolution of cancer cell clones.

• MeSH
• kouření tabáku * škodlivé účinky   MeSH
• kouření škodlivé účinky   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mutace MeSH
• mutageneze * genetika   MeSH
• nádory hlavy a krku * genetika   etiologie   epidemiologie   MeSH
• sekvenování celého genomu MeSH
• variabilita počtu kopií segmentů DNA MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

The FGFR3::TACC3 fusion has been reported in subsets of diverse cancers including urothelial and squamous cell carcinomas (SCC). However, the morphology of FGFR3::TACC3-positive head and neck carcinomas has not been well studied and it is unclear if this fusion represents a random event, or if it might characterize a morphologically distinct tumor type. We describe nine FGFR3::TACC3 fusion-positive head and neck carcinomas affecting six males and three females aged 38 to 89 years (median, 59). The tumors originated in the sinonasal tract (n = 4), parotid gland (n = 2), and one case each in the oropharynx, submandibular gland, and larynx. At last follow-up (9-21 months; median, 11), four patients developed local recurrence and/or distant metastases, two died of disease at 11 and 12 months, one died of other cause, one was alive with disease, and two were disease-free. Three of six tumors harbored high risk oncogenic HPV infection (HPV33, HPV18, one unspecified). Histologically, three tumors revealed non-keratinizing transitional cell-like or non-descript morphology with variable mixed inflammatory infiltrate reminiscent of mucoepidermoid or DEK::AFF2 carcinoma (all were HPV-negative), and three were HPV-associated (all sinonasal) with multiphenotypic (1) and non-intestinal adenocarcinoma (2) pattern, respectively. One salivary gland tumor showed poorly cohesive large epithelioid cells with prominent background inflammation and expressed AR and GATA3, in line with a possible salivary duct carcinoma variant. Two tumors were conventional SCC. Targeted RNA sequencing revealed an in-frame FGFR3::TACC3 fusion in all cases. This series highlights heterogeneity of head and neck carcinomas harboring FGFR3::TACC3 fusions, which segregates into three categories: (1) unclassified HPV-negative category, morphologically distinct from SCC and other entities; (2) heterogeneous group of HPV-associated carcinomas; and (3) conventional SCC. A driver role of the FGFR3::TACC3 fusion in the first category (as a potential distinct entity) remains to be further studied. In the light of available FGFR-targeting therapies, delineation of these tumors and enhanced recognition is recommended.

• Klíčová slova
• FGFR, Gene fusions, RNA sequencing, Sinonasal, Targeted therapy, Tyrosine kinase inhibitor,
• MeSH
• dlaždicobuněčné karcinomy hlavy a krku MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• fenotyp MeSH
• fúzní onkogenní proteiny * genetika   MeSH
• infekce papilomavirem * komplikace   virologie   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nádorové biomarkery * genetika   analýza   MeSH
• nádory hlavy a krku * genetika   patologie   virologie   MeSH
• proteiny asociované s mikrotubuly MeSH
• receptor fibroblastových růstových faktorů, typ 3 * genetika   MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• spinocelulární karcinom * genetika   patologie   virologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• FGFR3 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• fúzní onkogenní proteiny * MeSH
• nádorové biomarkery * MeSH
• proteiny asociované s mikrotubuly MeSH
• receptor fibroblastových růstových faktorů, typ 3 * MeSH
• TACC3 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč

TFE3 rearrangements characterize histogenetically, topographically, and biologically diverse neoplasms. Besides being a universal defining feature in alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS) and clear cell stromal tumor of the lung, TFE3 fusions have been reported in subsets of renal cell carcinoma, perivascular epithelioid cell tumor (PEComa), epithelioid hemangioendothelioma and ossifying fibromyxoid tumors. TFE3 -related neoplasms are rare in the head and neck and may pose diagnostic challenges. We herein describe 22 TFE3 fusion neoplasms affecting 11 males and 11 females aged 4 to 79 years (median, 25) and involving different head and neck sites: sinonasal cavities (n = 8), tongue (n = 4), oral cavity/oropharynx (n = 3), salivary glands (n = 2), orbit (n = 2), and soft tissue or unspecified sites (n = 3). Based on morphology and myomelanocytic immunophenotype, 10 tumors qualified as ASPS, 7 as PEComas (3 melanotic; all sinonasal), and 5 showed intermediate (indeterminate) histology overlapping with ASPS and PEComa. Immunohistochemistry for TFE3 was homogeneously strongly positive in all cases. Targeted RNA sequencing/FISH testing confirmed TFE3 fusions in 14 of 16 successfully tested cases (88%). ASPSCR1 was the most frequent fusion partner in ASPS (4 of 5 cases); one ASPS had a rare VCP::TFE3 fusion. The 6 successfully tested PEComas had known fusion partners as reported in renal cell carcinoma and PEComas ( NONO, PRCC, SFPQ , and PSPC1 ). The indeterminate tumors harbored ASPSCR1::TFE3 (n = 2) and U2AF2::TFE3 (n = 1) fusions, respectively. This large series devoted to TFE3-positive head and neck tumors illustrates the recently proposed morphologic overlap in the spectrum of TFE3 -associated mesenchymal neoplasms. While all PEComas were sinonasal, ASPS was never sinonasal and occurred in diverse head and neck sites with a predilection for the tongue. The indeterminate (PEComa-like) category is molecularly more akin to ASPS but shows different age, sex, and anatomic distribution compared with classic ASPS. We report VCP as a novel fusion partner in ASPS and PSPC1 as a novel TFE3 fusion partner in PEComa (detected in one PEComa). Future studies should shed light on the most appropriate terminological subtyping of these highly overlapping tumors.

• MeSH
• alveolární sarkom měkkých tkání * genetika   patologie   chemie   MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• fenotyp MeSH
• fúze genů MeSH
• genová přestavba * MeSH
• hybridizace in situ fluorescenční MeSH
• imunohistochemie MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• nádorové biomarkery * genetika   analýza   MeSH
• nádory hlavy a krku * genetika   patologie   chemie   MeSH
• nádory z perivaskulárních epiteloidních buněk * genetika   patologie   chemie   MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• transkripční faktory BHLH-Zip * genetika   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• nádorové biomarkery * MeSH
• TFE3 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• transkripční faktory BHLH-Zip * MeSH

BACKGROUND: Head and neck paragangliomas (HNPGLs) are typically slow-growing, hormonally inactive tumors of parasympathetic paraganglia. Inactivation of prolyl-hydroxylase domain-containing 2 protein causing indirect gain-of-function of hypoxia-inducible factor-2α (HIF-2α), encoded by EPAS1, was recently shown to cause carotid body hyperplasia. We previously described a syndrome with multiple sympathetic paragangliomas caused by direct gain-of-function variants in EPAS1 (Pacak-Zhuang syndrome, PZS) and developed a corresponding mouse model. METHODS: We evaluated a cohort of patients with PZS (n = 9) for HNPGL by positron emission tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography and measured carotid body size compared to literature reference values. Resected tumors were evaluated by histologic sectioning and staining. We evaluated the corresponding mouse model at multiple developmental stages (P8 and adult) for lesions of the head and neck by high resolution ex vivo imaging and performed immunohistochemical staining on histologic sections of the identified lesions. RESULTS: hree patients had imaging consistent with HNPGL, one of which warranted resection and was confirmed on histology. Three additional patients had carotid body enlargement (Z-score > 2.0), and 3 had carotid artery malformations. We found that 9 of 10 adult variant mice had carotid body tumors and 6 of 8 had a paraganglioma on the cranio-caval vein, the murine homologue of the superior vena cava; these were also found in 4 of 5 variant mice at post-natal day 8. These tumors and the one resected from a patient were positive for tyrosine hydroxylase, synaptophysin, and chromogranin A. Brown fat in a resected patient tumor carried the EPAS1 pathogenic variant. CONCLUSIONS: These findings (1) suggest HNPGL as a feature of PZS and (2) show that these pathogenic variants are sufficient to cause the development of these tumors, which we believe represents a continuous spectrum of disease starting from hyperplasia.

• MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• karotická tělíska patologie   diagnostické zobrazování   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• magnetická rezonanční tomografie MeSH
• modely nemocí na zvířatech MeSH
• myši MeSH
• nádory hlavy a krku * genetika   patologie   diagnostické zobrazování   MeSH
• paragangliom * genetika   patologie   diagnostické zobrazování   MeSH
• počítačová rentgenová tomografie MeSH
• pozitronová emisní tomografie MeSH
• syndrom MeSH
• transkripční faktory bHLH * genetika   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• myši MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• endothelial PAS domain-containing protein 1 MeSH Prohlížeč
• transkripční faktory bHLH * MeSH

Induction of autophagy represents an effective survival strategy for nutrient-deprived or stressed cancer cells. Autophagy contributes to the modulation of communication within the tumor microenvironment. Here, we conducted a study of the metabolic and signaling implications associated with autophagy induced by glutamine (Gln) and serum starvation and PI3K/mTOR inhibitor and autophagy inducer NVP-BEZ235 (BEZ) in the head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell line FaDu. We compared the effect of these different types of autophagy induction on ATP production, lipid peroxidation, mitophagy, RNA cargo of extracellular vesicles (EVs), and EVs-associated cytokine secretome of cancer cells. Both BEZ and starvation resulted in a decline in ATP production. Simultaneously, Gln starvation enhanced oxidative damage of cancer cells by lipid peroxidation. In starved cells, there was a discernible fragmentation of the mitochondrial network coupled with an increase in the presence of tumor susceptibility gene 101 (TSG101) on the mitochondrial membrane, indicative of the sorting of mitochondrial cargo into EVs. Consequently, the abundance of mitochondrial RNAs (mtRNAs) in EVs released by FaDu cells was enhanced. Notably, mtRNAs were also detectable in EVs isolated from the serum of both HNSCC patients and healthy controls. Starvation and BEZ reduced the production of EVs by cancer cells, yet the characteristic molecular profile of these EVs remained unchanged. We also found that alterations in the release of inflammatory cytokines constitute a principal response to autophagy induction. Importantly, the specific mechanism driving autophagy induction significantly influenced the composition of the EVs-associated cytokine secretome.

• MeSH
• adenosintrifosfát * metabolismus   MeSH
• autofagie * účinky léků   MeSH
• dlaždicobuněčné karcinomy hlavy a krku metabolismus   genetika   patologie   MeSH
• extracelulární vezikuly * metabolismus   účinky léků   MeSH
• glutamin * metabolismus   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mitochondrie metabolismus   MeSH
• nádorové buněčné linie MeSH
• nádory hlavy a krku metabolismus   patologie   genetika   MeSH
• oxidační stres * MeSH
• RNA mitochondriální * metabolismus   genetika   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• adenosintrifosfát * MeSH
• glutamin * MeSH
• RNA mitochondriální * MeSH

HPV-positive and HPV-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are recognized as distinct entities. There remains uncertainty surrounding the causal effects of smoking and alcohol on the development of these two cancer types. Here we perform multivariable Mendelian randomization (MR) to evaluate the causal effects of smoking and alcohol on the risk of HPV-positive and HPV-negative HNSCC in 3431 cases and 3469 controls. Lifetime smoking exposure, as measured by the Comprehensive Smoking Index (CSI), is associated with increased risk of both HPV-negative HNSCC (OR = 3.03, 95%CI:1.75-5.24, P = 7.00E-05) and HPV-positive HNSCC (OR = 2.73, 95%CI:1.39-5.36, P = 0.003). Drinks Per Week is also linked with increased risk of both HPV-negative HNSCC (OR = 7.72, 95%CI:3.63-16.4, P = 1.00E-07) and HPV-positive HNSCC (OR = 2.66, 95%CI:1.06-6.68, P = 0.038). Smoking and alcohol independently increase the risk of both HPV-positive and HPV-negative HNSCC. These findings have important implications for understanding the modifying risk factors between HNSCC subtypes.

• MeSH
• dlaždicobuněčné karcinomy hlavy a krku * virologie   genetika   epidemiologie   MeSH
• infekce papilomavirem * virologie   epidemiologie   MeSH
• jednonukleotidový polymorfismus MeSH
• kouření * škodlivé účinky   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mendelovská randomizace * MeSH
• nádory hlavy a krku * virologie   genetika   epidemiologie   MeSH
• Papillomaviridae genetika   MeSH
• pití alkoholu * škodlivé účinky   MeSH
• rizikové faktory MeSH
• studie případů a kontrol MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Classification of head and neck tumors has evolved in recent decades including a widespread application of molecular testing in tumors of the salivary glands, sinonasal tract, oropharynx, nasopharynx, and soft tissue. Availability of new molecular techniques allowed for the definition of multiple novel tumor types unique to head and neck sites. Moreover, the expanding spectrum of immunohistochemical markers facilitates a rapid identification of diagnostic molecular abnormalities. As such, it is currently possible for head and neck pathologists to benefit from a molecularly defined classifications, while making diagnoses that are still based largely on histopathology and immunohistochemistry. This review highlights some principal molecular alterations in head and neck neoplasms presently available to assist pathologists in the practice of diagnosis, prognostication and prediction of response to treatment.

• Klíčová slova
• Head and neck, Molecular diagnostics, Next-generation sequencing, Salivary gland, Sinonasal tumor, Soft tissue,
• MeSH
• imunohistochemie MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• molekulární patologie * MeSH
• nádory hlavy a krku * diagnóza   genetika   MeSH
• patologové MeSH
• slinné žlázy MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH

BACKGROUND: Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) induce a subset of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) and anogenital cancers, particularly cervical cancer (CC). The major viral proteins that contribute to tumorigenesis are the E6 and E7 oncoproteins, whose expression is usually enhanced after the integration of viral DNA into the host genome. Recently, an alternative tumorigenesis pathway has been suggested in approximately half of HNSCC and CC cases associated with HPV infection. This pathway is characterized by extrachromosomal HPV persistence and increased expression of the viral E2, E4, and E5 genes. The E6, E7, E5, and E2 proteins have been shown to modify the expression of numerous cellular immune-related genes. The antitumor immune response is a critical factor in the prognosis of HPV-driven cancers, and its characterization may contribute to the prediction and personalization of the increasingly used cancer immunotherapy. METHODS: We analyzed the immune characteristics of HPV-dependent tumors and their association with carcinogenesis types. Transcriptomic HNSCC and CC datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas were used for this analysis. RESULTS: Clustering with immune-related genes resulted in two clusters of HPV16-positive squamous cell carcinomas in both tumor types: cluster 1 had higher activation of immune responses, including stimulation of the antigen processing and presentation pathway, which was associated with higher immune cell infiltration and better overall survival, and cluster 2 was characterized by keratinization. In CC, the distribution of tumor samples into clusters 1 and 2 did not depend on the level of E2/E5 expression, but in HNSCC, most E2/E5-high tumors were localized in cluster 1 and E2/E5-low tumors in cluster 2. Further analysis did not reveal any association between the E2/E5 levels and the expression of immune-related genes. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that while the detection of immune responses associated with preserved expression of genes encoding components of antigen processing and presentation machinery in HPV-driven tumors may be markers of better prognosis and an important factor in therapy selection, the type of carcinogenesis does not seem to play a decisive role in the induction of antitumor immunity.

• Klíčová slova
• Carcinogenesis, Immunotherapy, LILR, Papillomavirus, STING,
• MeSH
• dlaždicobuněčné karcinomy hlavy a krku komplikace   MeSH
• infekce papilomavirem * komplikace   MeSH
• karcinogeneze genetika   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• lidské papilomaviry MeSH
• nádory děložního čípku * MeSH
• nádory hlavy a krku * genetika   komplikace   MeSH
• onkogenní proteiny virové * genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• Papillomavirus E7 - proteiny genetika   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• onkogenní proteiny virové * MeSH
• Papillomavirus E7 - proteiny MeSH

BACKGROUND: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common cancer of the head and neck region. The circular RNA (circRNA) is known to serve an important role in the carcinogenesis of different types of cancer. However, the circRNA role of OSCC remains unclear. MATERIAL AND METHODS: OSCC tissues and adjacent normal tissues were obtained to detect circRNAs expression by the next generation sequencing (NGS), and OSCC tissues were selected to verify the differentially significant circRNAs by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). To further investigate the role of hsa-circ-0006203 - hsa-circ-0004872, the primer design and RT-PCR were performed. The expression levels were detected by RT-qPCR. RESULTS: The NGS results demonstrated that circRNAs were abundantly expressed in OSCC, and two circRNAs were significantly differentially expressed. hsa-circ-0006203 - hsa-circ-0004872 were significantly downregulated in OSCC tissue samples and was statistically correlated with pathological differentiation. CONCLUSION: In summary, the results of the present study revealed that OSCC tissues have abundant circRNAs and, to the best of our knowledge, it was our team who firstly explore the regulatory role of the hsa-circ-0006203 - hsa-circ-0004872 network in OSCC. The results indicated that hsa-circ-0006203 - hsa-circ-0004872 may be a potential biomarker for OSCC.

• Klíčová slova
• biomarker, circular RNA, hsa-circ-0004872, hsa-circ-0006203, oral cancer, oral carcinoma,
• MeSH
• biologické markery MeSH
• dlaždicobuněčné karcinomy hlavy a krku MeSH
• kruhová RNA genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nádorové buněčné linie MeSH
• nádory hlavy a krku * genetika   MeSH
• nádory úst * genetika   MeSH
• RNA genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• spinocelulární karcinom * patologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• biologické markery MeSH
• kruhová RNA MeSH
• RNA MeSH

• MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nádory hlavy a krku * diagnóza   genetika   MeSH
• spinocelulární karcinom * MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH