Head and neck cancers (HNC) are among the most common cancers in the world. In terms of frequency of occurrence in the world, HNC ranks sixth. However, the problem of modern oncology is the low specificity of the therapies used, which is why most of the currently used chemotherapeutic agents have a systemic effect. The use of nanomaterials could overcome the limitations of traditional therapies. Researchers are increasingly using polydopamine (PDA) in nanotherapeutic systems for HNC due to its unique properties. PDA has found applications in chemotherapy, photothermal therapy, targeted therapy, and combination therapies that facilitate better carrier control for the effective reduction of cancer cells than individual therapies. The purpose of this review was to present the current knowledge on the potential use of polydopamine in head and neck cancer research.

Cellular senescence is defined as a state of permanent cell cycle arrest, providing a natural barrier against cancer. However, senescent cells are very metabolically active and secrete a complex mixture of bioactive molecules collectively known as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), which play a dual role in cancer biology. While the SASP can suppress tumors by facilitating immunosurveillance, it can also promote tumor progression by fostering a pro-inflammatory milieu, stimulating angiogenesis, enhancing invasiveness, and enabling immune evasion. In Head and Neck Cancers (HNCs), a highly heterogeneous group of malignancies, SASP has emerged as a critical player in disease progression and treatment resistance. Persistent DNA damage response (DDR) signaling drives SASP and thereby contributes to the progression of head and neck cancer by modulating the tumour microenvironment. It influences the tumor microenvironment (TME) by facilitating epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), promoting cancer stem cell-like properties, and impairing the efficacy of radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immune checkpoint inhibitors. These effects underscore the need for targeted interventions to regulate SASP activity. This review presents a comprehensive overview of the molecular mechanisms underlying SASP generation and its effects on HNCs. We discuss the dual roles of SASP in tumor suppression and progression, its contribution to therapy resistance, and emerging therapeutic strategies, including novel senolytic and senomorphic drugs. Finally, we highlight key challenges and future directions for translating SASP-targeted therapies into clinical practice, emphasizing the need for biomarker discovery, and a deeper understanding of SASP heterogeneity. By targeting the SASP, there is potential to enhance therapeutic outcomes and improve the management of HNCs.

In recent years, a growing body of evidence points to a link between alterations in the oral microbiome and the development and progression of head and neck cancer (HNC). At present, however, this highly complex relationship is only partially understood. In this context, there is a clear need to characterise and differentiate microbial profiles in patients with and without HNC to identify risk factors, prognostic biomarkers, and potential therapeutic targets. In the present narrative review, we synthesize the current evidence on the role of oral dysbiosis in HNC, with a particular focus on potential biomarkers and novel treatment and prevention strategies.

Head and neck squamous-cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has long been associated with tobacco and alcohol use. In the last two decades, however, human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has emerged as an important driver of these cancers, particularly in the oropharynx. The eighth edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system now defines HPV+ and HPV− OPSCC as separate entities. Although our understanding of HPV+ HNSCC continues to improve, it can be challenging to keep up to date with the growing body of evidence. In this context, the present narrative review was carried out to provide an overview of HPV-driven head and neck cancer, with an emphasis on Europe. We review the latest evidence on epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment, including recent trends towards treatment de-intensification and future directions.

Acromegaly is caused by an excessive secretion of growth hormone and the secondary elevation of IGF-1 levels, leading to progressive changes in multiple body systems, including the craniofacial region and oral cavity. Dental manifestations such as mandibular overgrowth, macroglossia, malocclusion, periodontal disease, and prosthetic difficulties represent not only a clinical component of the disease but also a significant therapeutic and diagnostic challenge. The aim of this review is to present the current state of knowledge on the relationship between acromegaly and oral health and to analyze the role of interdisciplinary collaboration between endocrinologists and dentists in patient care. For this narrative review, a literature search was conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases covering the period from 2000 to 2025. Sixty-two peer-reviewed publications meeting the methodological and thematic criteria were included in the analysis, including original studies, meta-analyses, systematic reviews, and case reports. The results indicate significant correlations between disease activity and the severity of periodontal and microbiological changes, while effective endocrine treatment only results in the partial regression of morphological changes. Particular attention was given to the role of the dentist in recognizing the early symptoms of the disease, planning prosthetic and surgical treatment, and monitoring therapy-related complications. Interdisciplinary collaboration models, including integrated clinics and co-managed care, were also described as optimal systemic solutions for improving treatment quality. The conclusion drawn from the analysis are as follows: there is a need for the permanent integration of dentistry into the standard of interdisciplinary care for patients with acromegaly, in both diagnostic and therapeutic dimensions. Increasing awareness among dentists and developing integrated collaboration models may reduce the time to diagnosis, improve patients’ quality of life, and enable the more effective management of craniofacial complications in the course of this rare disease.

Introduction. Orthodontic elastics are widely used in orthodontic treatment. It’s been proved that they have advantages such as low cost, ease of use, but also disadvantages, mainly force decay in time and increased entrapment of biofilm. Amount of the force is of extreme significance. This force can be altered by physical or chemical factors. Material and Methods. Latex elastics in 3 different diameters were selected for this study. Each elastic was stretched and placed on hooks that are at specified distances that equal 3 times the diameter of each elastic. The forces produced by stretching was measured using tension gauge and the measurement were taken at specific time intervals of 0h, 3h, 12h, 24h. The same process was repeated for elastics in dry and artificial environment. Results. Elastics in the dry environment showed progressive force decay cause by stretching over time. Just after 3 hours force decay between 6,07% and 8,75% was observed. The biggest loss of force between 13,61 — 16,13 % was measured after 24 hours. Compared to the dry environment, an even more significant force decay was observed in the artificial saliva. After first 3 hours force loss was between 4,99% — 9,22%. The biggest force decay was observed after 24 hours and it was 5 % higher compared to dry environment. Conclusions. 1) The artificial saliva environment and time of exposure to it, have a negative effect on the properties of elastomeric. 2) To maintain the effective orthodontic strength of elastics, they should be replaced every 12 hours.