Background: Conventional treatments for cancers of the head and neck region are often associated with high recurrence rates and impaired quality of life. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has emerged as a promising alternative, leveraging photosensitizers such as hypericin to selectively target tumour cells with minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissues. Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and underlying mechanisms of hypericin-mediated PDT (HY-PDT) in treating head and neck cancers. Methods: Adhering to PRISMA 2020 guidelines, a systematic search was conducted across PubMed/Medline, Embase, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library for studies published between January 2000 and December 2024. Inclusion criteria encompassed preclinical in vitro and in vivo studies and clinical trials focusing on HY-PDT for head and neck malignancies and its subtypes. Results: A total of 13 studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising both in vitro and in vivo investigations. HY-PDT consistently demonstrated significant cytotoxicity against squamous cell carcinoma cells through apoptotic and necrotic pathways, primarily mediated by ROS generation. Hypericin exhibited selective uptake in cancer cells over normal keratinocytes. Additionally, HY-PDT modulated the tumour microenvironment by altering cytokine profiles, such as by increasing IL-20 and sIL-6R levels, which may enhance antitumor immunity and reduce metastasis. Conclusions: HY-PDT emerges as a highly promising and minimally toxic treatment modality for head and neck cancers, demonstrating efficacy in inducing selective tumour cell death and modulating the immune microenvironment. Despite the encouraging preclinical evidence, significant methodological variability and limited clinical data necessitate further large-scale, standardized and randomized controlled trials.

Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) has emerged as a promising scaffold for drug delivery, particularly in the context of antimicrobial therapies. This systematic review evaluates the incorporation of antibiotics into PRF to determine its efficacy as a localized antimicrobial delivery system compared to plain PRF without antibiotics. A systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, including 13 in vitro studies with a moderate risk of bias. Antibiotics were incorporated into PRF using different methodologies, including systemic administration before blood collection, addition to blood before centrifugation, and injection into formed PRF matrices. Outcomes were analyzed regarding antibacterial efficacy, structural integrity of PRF, and release kinetics. Antibiotic-enhanced PRF demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against various bacterial strains. The efficacy of the enhanced PRF was dependent on the type of antibiotic, its concentration, and incorporation method. Encapsulation approaches facilitated a sustained antibiotic release, while higher antibiotic concentrations occasionally disrupted PRF integrity. Systemic administration of antibiotics before blood collection enriches PRF effectively, producing significant inhibition zones. The antibacterial effects of PRF outperformed alternative carriers, such as collagen sponges. Antibiotic-loaded PRF is a potent tool for localized antimicrobial delivery, with promising applications in clinical settings. Further research is needed to standardize preparation protocols and explore the impact of different antibiotic delivery methods on PRF’s regenerative properties.

Purpose of review: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is a complex inflammatory sinonasal disease that deserves a multidisciplinary precision medicine approach. In a precision medicine model, a more pragmatic approach taking in consideration disease features that are potentially treatable should be considered. Recent findings: Several treatable traits in CRSwNP can be identified: from disease-related ones, to extra-ENT features, to behavioral and environmental factors. This review article summarizes primarily the recent findings of CRSwNP-related treatable traits and how they can be modified by given treatments. Summary: The advent of biological agents acting directly to the endotype underlying CRSwNP pushes the scientific community to integrate clinical, surgical and immunological evaluations for each single patient; this naturally leads to the identification of specific treatable traits that can serve as possible outcomes for any single biological.

Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most commonly detected neoplasms worldwide. Not all mechanisms associated with cell cycle disturbances are known in OSCC. Examples of genes involved in the control of the cell cycle are CDKN2A, MDM2, E2F2 and LTF. The aim of this study was to examine the possible association between CDKN2A, MDM2, E2F2 and LTF mRNA expression and influence on clinical variables. Methods: The study group consisted of 88 Polish patients. The gene expression levels were assessed by quantitative reverse transcription PCR. Results: We found no statistically significant differences in the expression level of CDKN2A, MDM2, E2F2 and LTF genes in tumour samples compared to margin samples. No association was found between the gene expression levels and clinical parameters, except E2F2. The patients with G2 tumours had a significantly higher gene expression level of E2F2 than patients with low-grade G1 tumours. Conclusions: We have not demonstrated that a change in expression profiles of genes has a significant impact on the pathogenesis of OSCC. It may also be useful to conduct further studies on the use of E2F2 expression profile changes as a factor to describe the invasiveness and dynamics of OSCC development.

Rare disease Extranodal natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphomas are rare neoplasms that result in the destruction of mid-facial tissues. Infrequently seen in ear, nose, and throat clinical practice, they are often misdiagnosed and treated as chronic sinusitis, which delays proper diagnosis. This study aimed to describe the insidious course of NK/T-cell lymphomas, nasal type. A 36-year-old woman with a 2-year history of recurrent exacerbation of chronic sinusitis and allergies was admitted to our clinic. Multiple endoscopic sinus surgical procedures were performed. Repeated histopathological tissue examinations revealed extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type. Positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography (PET-CT) was performed to assess the extent of the disease. The patient was treated with antibiotics, steroids, and antifungal drugs for many months before the definitive diagnosis was made. The patient was eligible for modified SMILE chemotherapy; however, the patient died suddenly from septic shock several days before the beginning of treatment. Chronic rhinosinusitis with progressive necrosis of sinonasal tissue that persists despite adequate antibacterial and antifungal treatment should prompt further investigation. In such cases, it is important to consider the diagnosis of NK/T-cell lymphomas, nasal type. Early diagnosis increases the opportunity for successful treatment.

Background and Objectives: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a new disease entity caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The main symptoms of infection at the onset of the pandemic include dyspnea, cough and high fever. Ear–nose–throat (ENT) symptoms are among the ones presented by patients in the course of infection. The aim of the study was to analyze the frequency of ENT symptoms and to assess their severity and duration in COVID-19 patients. Materials and Methods: The study included 337 patients who had been infected with SARS-CoV-2, as confirmed by a PCR test. The study participants were >18 years old; the mean age was 43.98 years ± 13.47 SD. The convalescents completed a questionnaire that contained 26 questions, including 9 detailed questions related to ENT symptoms, such as sore throat, vertigo, dizziness, hearing disorders, olfactory disorders, taste disturbance, headache, cough and dyspnea. The severity of symptoms was assessed using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Results: The most reported ENT symptoms were olfactory disorders, which occurred in 72% of patients. The second most frequent symptom was taste disturbance (68%), VAS = 6.79 ± 3.01. Vertigo and dizziness were reported by 34% of respondents (VAS = 4.01 ± 2.01). Tinnitus was observed in 15% of patients, VAS = 3.87 ± 1.98; 14% of the subjects reported hearing impairment (VAS = 3.81 ± 2.37). Conclusions: Symptoms related to the sense of smell, taste and hearing are some of the most common symptoms in the course of COVID-19, which is important in the therapeutic and epidemiological management of patients. Delayed diagnosis and treatment of symptoms, especially those related to the hearing organ, may result in greater permanent damage.