Maura Gillison, who identified the role of HPV in head and neck cancer, changing the standard of care, dies at 61

Maura L. Gillison, MD, PhD, a medical oncologist and molecular epidemiologist whose work changed the standard of care for head and neck cancer by distinguishing human papillomavirus-positive from HPV-negative disease and thereby guiding diagnosis, treatment and prevention, died on June 21.

As a post-doctoral fellow at the Kimmel Cancer Center and Bloomberg School of Public Health at Hopkins, Gillison demonstrated that a subset of head and neck cancers of the pharynx, tonsils, and base of tongue was driven by HPV.

“Until her discovery, it was understood that head and neck cancer was caused by tobacco and alcohol and case reports of the presence of HPV in some tumors was attributed to laboratory contamination,” William G. Nelson, the Marion I. Knott Professor and Director of Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, said in an announcement of Gillion’s death to the faculty. “She subsequently led a prospective case control study, at the SKCCC, which definitively demonstrated the causal role of HPV in oropharynx cancer published in 2007 in The New England Journal of Medicine.

Maura, rest in peace

Emerging data published in Scientific Reports, demonstrates extracts from a bioengineered chewing gum to significantly reduce the levels of 3 microbes associated with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

The medicated chewing gum displayed substantial reductions in oral human papillomavirus (HPV), Porphyromonas gingivalis (P gingivalis), and Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fnucleatum).

The research evaluated a lablab bean–derived chewing gum containing the antiviral lectin (FRIL), for microbial loads in oral samples from patients with HNSCC. The goal was to asses HPV, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum, which have been implicated in tumor progression.

The data analyzed saliva and oral rinse samples from patients with HNSCC and compared microbial levels following exposure to the investigational chewing gum extract.

Following treatment with the bean-derived lectin formulation, HPV levels were reduced by approximately 93% and 80% in saliva and oral rinse samples, respectively. The effect is attributed to FRIL-mediated binding of viral glycoproteins, which promotes aggregation and reduces viral availability for host cell entry.

Full article: https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/emerging-data-shows-chewing-gum-reduces-hpv-and-oral-cancer-associated-bacteria-in-hnscc

The medicated chewing gum displayed substantial reductions in oral human papillomavirus (HPV), Porphyromonas gingivalis (P gingivalis), and Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fnucleatum).

The research evaluated a lablab bean–derived chewing gum containing the antiviral lectin (FRIL), for microbial loads in oral samples from patients with HNSCC. The goal was to asses HPV, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum, which have been implicated in tumor progression.

The data analyzed saliva and oral rinse samples from patients with HNSCC and compared microbial levels following exposure to the investigational chewing gum extract.

Following treatment with the bean-derived lectin formulation, HPV levels were reduced by approximately 93% and 80% in saliva and oral rinse samples, respectively. The effect is attributed to FRIL-mediated binding of viral glycoproteins, which promotes aggregation and reduces viral availability for host cell entry.

Full article: https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/emerging-data-shows-chewing-gum-reduces-hpv-and-oral-cancer-associated-bacteria-in-hnscc

HPV (Human Papillomavirus) causes a rapidly rising number of head and neck cancers, specifically oropharyngeal cancer (back of the throat, base of tongue, tonsils). Unlike tobacco-related cancers, HPV-positive patients are often younger and have better treatment prognoses.

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“Worldwide, head and neck cancer is the 7th most common cancer overall. It’s the 5th most common cancer in men and the 12th most common in women”

World Cancer Report

Head and neck cancer refers to a group of cancers that form in areas such as the mouth, throat, voice box, sinuses, nasal cavity or salivary glands. These cancers can be challenging to treat because they develop in small, complex areas of the body that support essential functions, including breathing, swallowing and speaking.

Most head and neck cancers develop from risk factors such as long‑term exposure to tobacco and alcohol.

A portion of head and neck cancers are related to human papillomavirus (HPV)

HPV (Human Papillomavirus) causes a rapidly rising number of head and neck cancers, specifically oropharyngeal cancer (back of the throat, base of tongue, tonsils). Unlike tobacco-related cancers, HPV-positive patients are often younger and have better treatment prognoses.

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Understanding the impact of HPV is essential for both medical providers and the public, highlighting the importance of early detection and vaccination.

Human papillomavirus infection is is caused by a DNA virus from the papillomaviridae family.

Most HPV infections show no symptoms and resolve spontaneously. However, in some cases, they persist and result in warts or precancerous lesions.

There are over 100 different types of HPV.

Some types are considered high-risk because they are more likely to lead to cancer, while others are low-risk and cause warts but are less likely to lead to cancer.

HPV plays a pathogenic role in a subset of head and neck cancers, mostly cancers of the oropharynx.

Vaccines are available to protect against several high-risk types of HPV.

Source: hybridmediacalanimation

Oral sex is the leading “risk factor” for oropharyngeal cancer, a specific kind of throat cancer that affects the tonsils and back of the throat, according to British expert Dr. Hisham Menanna.

While throat cancer is often considered to be a consequence of smoking, the main cause of oropharyngeal cancer is human papillomavirus (HPV).

Over the past two decades, there has been a rapid increase in throat cancer in the west. This has been due to a large rise in a specific type of throat cancer called oropharyngeal cancer (the area of the tonsils and back of the throat).

The main cause of this cancer is the human papillomavirus (HPV), which are also the main cause of cancer of the cervix. Oropharyngeal cancer has now become more common than cervical cancer in the US and the UK.

HPV is sexually transmitted. For oropharyngeal cancer, the main risk factor is the number of lifetime sexual partners, especially oral sex. Those with six or more lifetime oral-sex partners are 8.5 times more likely to develop oropharyngeal cancer than those who do not practise oral sex.

HPV vaccination of young girls and boys has been implemented in many countries to prevent cervical cancer and throat cancer

Source: https://theconversation.com/oral-sex-is-now-the-leading-risk-factor-for-throat-cancer-204063

The major risk factors for oral cancer include tobacco use, alcohol consumption, HPV infection, and prolonged sun exposure.

1. Tobacco Use:

• Smoking tobacco, chewing tobacco, or using smokeless tobacco (like snuff and betel quid) significantly increases the risk of oral cancer.
  
• The risk increases with the amount and duration of tobacco use.
  
• Smoking and chewing tobacco together increase the risk even more.
  

2. Alcohol Consumption:

• Excessive alcohol consumption is a well-established risk factor for oral cancer.
• Combining alcohol with tobacco use further increases the risk.
  

3. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection:

• Some HPV strains, particularly HPV-16, have been linked to oral cancers, especially oropharyngeal cancer.
  
• While HPV is primarily a sexually transmitted infection, it can also cause oral cancer.
  

4. Sun Exposure:

• Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun or tanning beds can increase the risk of lip cancer. 

5. Other Risk Factors:

• Poor diet: A diet low in fruits and vegetables may increase the risk.
  
• Weakened immune system: Conditions like HIV/AIDS or immunosuppressant medications can increase the risk of oral cancer.
  
• Genetic factors: Some people have a genetic predisposition to oral cancer.
  
• Age: The risk of oral cancer increases with age, particularly after 45.
  
• Sex: Men are more likely to develop oral cancer than women. 

6. Precancerous Conditions:

• Leukoplakia and erythroplakia are precancerous conditions that can sometimes develop into oral cancer if not treated.