Cancer immunotherapy offers a promising approach in cancer treatment. The adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) could protect cancerous tissues from immune clearance via inhibiting T cells response. To date, the role of A2AR in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has not been investigated. Here, we sought to explore the expression and immunotherapeutic value of A2AR blockade in HNSCC. The expression of A2AR was evaluated by immunostaining in 43 normal mucosae, 48 dysplasia and 165 primary HNSCC tissues. The immunotherapeutic value of A2AR blockade was assessed in vivo in genetically defined immunocompetent HNSCC mouse model. Immunostaining of HNSCC tissue samples revealed that increased expression of A2AR on tumor infiltrating immune cells correlated with advanced pathological grade, larger tumor size and positive lymph node status. Elevated A2AR expression was also detected in recurrent HNSCC and HNSCC tissues with induction chemotherapy. The expression of A2AR was found to be significantly correlated with HIF-1α, CD73, CD8 and Foxp3. Furthermore, the increased population of CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs), which partially expressed A2AR, was observed in an immunocompetent mouse model that spontaneously develops HNSCC. Pharmacological blockade of A2AR by SCH58261 delayed the tumor growth in the HNSCC mouse model. Meanwhile, A2AR blockade significantly reduced the population of CD4+ Foxp3+ Tregs and enhanced the anti-tumor response of CD8+ T cells. These results offer a preclinical proof for the administration of A2AR inhibitor on prophylactic experimental therapy of HNSCC and suggest that A2AR blockade can be a potential novel strategy for HNSCC immunotherapy.

Red blood cell-derived extracellular vesicles (RBC EVs) are small, spherical fragments released from red blood cells. These vesicles, similar to EVs derived from other cell types, are crucial for intercellular communication processes and have been implicated in various physiological and pathological processes. The diagnostic and therapeutic potential of RBC EVs has garnered increasing attention in recent years, revealing their valuable role in the field of medicine. In this review, we aim to provide a comprehensive analysis of the current research status of RBC EVs. We summarize existing studies and highlight the progress made in understanding the characteristics and functions of RBC EVs, with a particular focus on their biological roles in different diseases. We also discuss their potential utility as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in diseases and as vectors for drug delivery. Furthermore, we emphasize the need for further research to achieve selective purification of RBC EVs and unravel their heterogeneity, which will allow for a deeper understanding of their diverse functions and exploration of their potential applications in diagnostics and therapeutics.

An urgent need exists for innovative surgical video recording techniques in head and neck reconstructive surgeries, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where a surge in surgical procedures necessitates more skilled surgeons. This demand, significantly intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic, highlights the critical role of surgical videos in medical education. We aimed to identify a straightforward, high-quality approach to recording surgical videos at a low economic cost in the operating room, thereby contributing to enhanced patient care. The recording was comprised of six head and neck flap harvesting surgeries using GoPro or two types of digital cameras. Data were extracted from the recorded videos and their subsequent editing process. Some of the participants were subsequently interviewed. Both cameras, set at 4 K resolution and 30 frames per second (fps), produced satisfactory results. The GoPro, worn on the surgeon’s head, moves in sync with the surgeon, offering a unique first-person perspective of the operation without needing an additional assistant. Though cost-effective and efficient, it lacks a zoom feature essential for close-up views. In contrast, while requiring occasional repositioning, the digital camera captures finer anatomical details due to its superior image quality and zoom capabilities. Merging these two systems could significantly advance the field of surgical video recording. This innovation holds promise for enhancing technical communication and bolstering video-based medical education, potentially addressing the global shortage of specialized surgeons. 1) The GoPro camera offers stable vision and does not require an assistant for operation. 2) A digital camera provides images of higher quality and better anatomical detail. 3) Combining the two could result in a highly efficient and innovative method. 4) Trainees provided positive feedback on the educational impact of the videos.

Integrin β4 (ITGB4) is a member of the integrin family, which plays a crucial role in mediating cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix. Recent studies have demonstrated that ITGB4 is involved in tumorigenesis and metastasis during the development of cancer. However, the role of ITGB4 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains unclear. A Multiplex immunohistochemistry (OPAL™, mIHC) assay was employed to stain ITGB4, ALDH1, PD-L1, cytokeratin (CK), CD8 and PD-1 in a human OSCC tissue microarray, containing 26 normal oral epithelium samples, 21 oral epithelium dysplasia samples and 76 OSCC samples. The expression pattern and clinicopathological characteristics of ITGB4 were analyzed and compared with those of PD-1, PD-L1, ALDH1 and CD8. The correlation between subgroups of tumor cells, including ITGB4⁺PD-L1⁺ and ITGB4⁺ALDH1⁺, and subgroups of T cells, including CD8⁺ and CD8⁺PD-1⁺, was evaluated using two-tailed Pearson’s statistics. A Kaplan–Meier curve was built, and a log-rank test was performed to analyze the survival rate of different subgroups. The mIHC staining results show that ITGB4 was mostly expressed in the tumor cells, with a significant increase in the OSCC specimens compared with normal oral epithelium and oral epithelium dysplasia. The paired analysis, conducted between the OSCC tumor tissue and normal paracancer mucosa, confirmed the results. The study further revealed that ITGB4⁺PD-L1⁺ cancer cells, but not ITGB4⁺ALDH1⁺ cancer cells, were significantly associated with the infiltration of CD8⁺ T cells (positivity p = 0.005, positive number p = 0.03). Additionally, ITGB4⁺PD-L1⁺ tumor cells were positively correlated with CD8⁺PD-1⁺ T cells (positivity p = 0.02, positive number p = 0.03). Most intriguingly, the subgroup of ITGB4/PD-L1^high with CD8/PD-1^high displayed the best prognosis compared with the other considered subgroups. The results show that the expression of ITGB4 was increased in OSCC compared with normal oral mucosa. Furthermore, a specific subgroup with high levels of expression of ITGB4/PD-L1 and CD8/PD-1 was found to have a relatively better prognosis compared with the other subgroups. Ultimately, this study sheds light on the potential role of ITGB4 in OSCC and provides a basis for further investigation.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a heterogeneous malignancy originating from the oral mucosal epithelium. Detecting novel biomarkers can offer crucial information on disease aggressiveness and expected clinical outcomes for individual patients. SEC61G, an aberrantly expressed gene in various cancers, has been associated with negative clinical outcomes. However, its expression and clinical significance in OSCC is still unclear. In the present study, we investigated the SEC61G expression level in OSCC using bioinformatic and immunohistochemical analyses. Additionally, our findings revealed a significant correlation between SEC61G expression and clinicopathological characteristics, as well as a worse prognosis in OSCC patients. Notably, flow cytometry analysis on patient samples revealed that SEC61G expression was also linked to decreased immune infiltration in OSCC patients. In conclusion, our study provides evidence supporting SEC61G’s role as a potential diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic marker in OSCC.