6th ICHNO Abstract Book

page 6 6 th ICHNO Conference International Conference on innovative approaches in Head and Neck Oncology 16 – 18 March 2017 Barcelona, Spain __________________________________________________________________________________________ 6th ICHNO

Keynote lecture

Symposium: Prognostic modelling

SP-003 Radiomics: the poor man molecular imaging? P. Lambin The Netherlands

SP-001 Immunotherapy for head and neck cancer: integrating the fourth modality R. Ferris 1 1 University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburg- PA, USA Abstract text The immune system plays a key role in the development, establishment and progression of head and neck cancer. A greater understanding of the dysregulation and evasion of the immune system in the evolution and progression of head and neck cancers provides the basis for improved therapies and outcomes for patients. Head and neck cancer evades the host`s immune system on different levels: 1. Manipulation of its own immunogenicity, 2. Production of immunosuppressive molecules, and 3. Promotion of immunomodulatory cell types. Through the tumor`s influence on the microenvironment, the immune system can be exploited to promote metastasis, angiogenesis and growth. In this chapter, we review basic immunology as it relates to head and neck cancer and discuss the theory of cancer immunosurveillance and immune escape. A brief overview to key components in the tumor microenvironment is provided. Current research on cytokines as biomarkers, cancer stem cells, tumor antigens and immunotherapeutic strategies are presented. SP-002 State of the art in robotic surgery E. Moore 1 1 Mayo Clinic MN, Head and neck, Rochester, USA Abstract text Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) has evolved from an esoteric means of accessing tumors of the palate tonsil and tongue base to an essential tool and modality in the armamentarium of both oncologic and functional head and neck surgeons all over the world. This evolution has occurred in a relatively short time frame considering the usual slow and methodical course of surgical change. TORS is now utilized to access not only tumors of the tonsil and base of tongue, but also tumors of the nasopharynx, hypopharynx, supraglottis, and even glottis. TORS is utilized heavily in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. The next phase of transoral robotic surgery will utilize instrument modifications that allow greater flexibility of the camera, smaller working arms, and new modalities of tissue interaction. Utilization of other lighting sources will allow improved recognition of tumors, lymphatics, and vascular structures. Combination of the visual interface with imaging will allow incorporations of image guidance to the surgical technique. This talk will discuss what is happening with robotic surgery currently, the current limitations, and the evolutions that will hopefully expand the capabilities of transoral robotic surgery in the future. The audience will hopefully find inspiration to utilize new technology, and also to add innovation to the rapidly expanding field of transoral robotic surgery. Keynote lecture

Abstract not received

SP-004 Novel insights into head and neck cancer by transcriptome approaches L. De Cecco 1 1 Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Department of Experimental Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Milan, Italy Abstract text Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth leading cancer by incidence worldwide and its pathogenesis is multifactorial, being related to alcohol and tobacco exposure and to Human Papillomavirus infection. Despite the improvements in the therapeutic modalities, the long-term survival rate remained unchanged over the past decade. For this reason, there is a great need to find better ways to foresee outcome, to improve treatment choices, and to enable a more personalized approach. The development of high- throughput gene-expression assays in the last two decades has provided the invaluable opportunity to improve our knowledge on cancer biology and to identify signatures related to outcome in many malignancies. More than 100 studies reporting gene-expression profiling studies in HNSCC from clinical samples have been published since 2000; however, several limits are present including i) inadequate sample size; ii) heterogeneous anatomical districts under analysis; iii) unknown tumor-to-stroma ratio; iv) technical (microarray platforms) and analytical (bioinformatics tools) differences. Overall, these studies have improved our knowledge of the biology of the disease. In recent years in the attempt to reach adequate statistical power for identifying clinically relevant signatures, a number of studies reporting meta-analysis has been published. Eventually, the integration of gene expression profiles with other “omics” data including miRNome, methylome, copy number variation, and mutational status by whole-exome sequencing, and with new emerging tools, no strictly genetics/genomics- related, such as functional (e.g. Positron Emission Tomography) or morphological (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) imaging modalities may encourage the development of new diagnostic or therapeutic approaches. The key objective of the present talk is to provide an overview of the main achievements of transcriptome analyses in HNSCC including: i) identification of subgroups of tumors with different biology and associated prognosis; ii) prediction of outcome; iii) prediction of response to therapy.

SP-005 The TRIPOD guideline K.G.M. Moons The Netherlands

Abstract not received

Proffered papers 1

OC-006 Outcomes of head and neck cancer with N3 nodal disease: a review of the National Cancer Data Base