GENE-ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION AS A HEAD AND NECK CANCER RESEARCH STRATEGY

Epidemiological and clinical studies over the past two decades have provided strong evidence that genetic elements interacting with environmental components can individually and collectively influence one’s susceptibility to cancer. In addition to tumorigenic properties, numerous environmental factors, such as nutrition, chemical carcinogens, and tobacco/alcohol consumption, possess pro-invasive and pro-metastatic cancer features. In contrast to traditional cancer treatment, modern therapeutics not only take into account an individual’s genetic makeup but also consider gene–environment interactions. The current review sharpens the focus by elaborating on the impact that environmental factors have on the pathogenesis and progression of head and neck cancer and the underlying molecular mechanisms involved. Recent advances, challenges, and future perspectives in this area of research are also discussed. Inhibiting key environmental drivers of tumor progression should yield survival benefits for patients at any stage of head and neck cancer.

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Head and neck cancer research in the radiation therapy oncology group

International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics ◽

10.1016/0360-3016(87)91005-4 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 13 ◽

pp. 77

Author(s):

Victor A. Marcial

Keyword(s):

Cancer Research ◽

Radiation Therapy ◽

Head And Neck Cancer ◽

Head And Neck ◽

Neck Cancer ◽

Radiation Therapy Oncology Group ◽

Oncology Group

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Patient and Provider Perspectives Regarding Enrollment in Head and Neck Cancer Research

Otolaryngology ◽

10.1177/0194599819889976 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 162 (1) ◽

pp. 73-78 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Andrew G. Shuman ◽

Michele C. Gornick ◽

Collin Brummel ◽

Madison Kent ◽

Kayte Spector-Bagdady ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cancer Research ◽

Head And Neck Cancer ◽

Head And Neck ◽

Neck Cancer ◽

Clinical Care ◽

Cancer Center ◽

Precision Oncology ◽

Provider Perspectives ◽

Key Stakeholders ◽

Semistructured Interviews

Objective The advent of precision oncology complicates how clinicians and participants understand how clinical care and research interface. Here we examine how key stakeholders perceive the utility of, and evaluate the decision to participate in, genomic sequencing head and neck cancer research. The goal of this study was to highlight unique considerations for our community as this type of research proliferates across the country. Study Design Prospective multimethod qualitative and quantitative embedded ethics protocol. Setting Single-institution National Cancer Institute–designated academic cancer center. Subjects and Methods Multimethod study using paired surveys and semistructured interviews among patients and providers involved in a prospective precision head and neck oncology sequencing protocol (116 survey patient-participants, response rate 82%) with 18 interviewees. Results Participants were generally enthusiastic about enrollment in research, both to help future patients and as a way of giving back to the community. They described reliance on information from and trust in their cancer doctor regarding the decision to participate in research, but paradoxically there was discordance in how doctors and patients reported their respective influence in the decision-making process. Clinicians also stressed the importance in separating clinical and research-informed consent processes, although patients did not describe this tension. Conclusion As we enter an era of increasing personalized medicine and targeted therapies, the relationship between clinicians, scientists, and patients plays a larger role in how we individualize and contextualize cancer research. Our data are another step toward the ultimate goal of respecting and protecting patients as participants in head and neck translational oncology.

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Growth in head and neck cancer clinical research in the NCRN and NCRI: Expanding opportunities for patients across the United Kingdom.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2012.30.15_suppl.e16007 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 30 (15_suppl) ◽

pp. e16007-e16007

Author(s):

Matthew T. Seymour ◽

Rachel Moser ◽

Matthew Cooper ◽

Sheila Fisher ◽

Karen Poole ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cancer Research ◽

Head And Neck Cancer ◽

Head And Neck ◽

Neck Cancer ◽

Clinical Studies ◽

Network Activity ◽

Research Network ◽

Treatment Modalities ◽

Research Networks ◽

Incident Cases

e16007 Background: The National Institute for Health Research Cancer Research Network (NCRN) was established in 2001 to benefit patients by improving the coordination, integration and speed of cancer research. Networks were established in England (NCRN), Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, supporting recruitment to a national portfolio across the NHS. In a decade recruitment to cancer studies has increased five fold in England to 20% of new incident cases. Head and Neck cancers affect basic functions including breathing and eating; particularly devastating for patients. The NCRI Head and Neck Cancer Clinical Studies Group is one of 23 Groups funded by NCRI members with a UK wide remit to develop a national portfolio of clinical studies. All CSGs include patients and carers as members resulting in active patient involvement in trial design, patient information and strategic direction of the portfolio. Methods: The last decade has seen unprecedented growth in the Head and Neck portfolio, which now includes 43 studies from only three studies in 2003/4. By 2010/11, 95% of UK Cancer Local Research Networks (37 networks) were recruiting to Head and Neck studies from only 2 networks in 2001/2, expanding trial access for patients and developing Head and Neck research expertise in new sites and with new investigators. Results: Numbers of patients participating in Head and Neck studies has grown exponentially. Since 2006/7 UK patient recruitment has risen 15-fold from 126 to 1890, representing almost 25% new incident cases of Head and Neck cancer. Conclusions: Rapid portfolio growth and associated network activity has expanded opportunities for patients with Head and Neck cancer; providing access to new therapeutic agents and treatment modalities, including NIHR CRN-adopted commercial trials and studies in a surgical setting. Participation in studies demonstrating the effectiveness of Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy in reducing xerostomia (including PARSPORT), has supported integration of this technique into cancer service.

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