Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of treating HNSCC that comprises administration of a HER3 blocker and an immune checkpoint modulator. In some embodiments, also disclosed herein is a method of modulating activity level of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in a HNSCC cell to modulate proliferation or sensitization of the cancer cell to a treatment therapy.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of treating a head and neck cancer or preventing the development of pre-malignant lesions to this cancer, by administering locally to the oral cavity, a sustained release drug delivery system comprising a drug for the treatment of this cancer or for the prevention of said lesions, and at least one polymer, such that said system is attached to a surface in the oral cavity and remains attached thereto for at least 1 hour, accompanied by release of the drug and maintaining an effective therapeutic concentration thereof in the cavity, for at least 1 hour. Further are disclosed a sustained release drug delivery system and a liquid precursor varnish composition to this system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of preventing the development of mucositis in a subject undergoing radiation therapy or chemotherapy for a disease in need thereof comprising administering an effective amount of a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor, such as rapamycin, to the subject. Further disclosed is a method of increasing the lifespan of a normal oral keratinocyte and/or reducing oxidative stress in a normal epithelial cell, wherein the method comprises administering an effective amount of an mTOR inhibitor to a subject undergoing radiation therapy or chemotherapy for a disease in need thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of preventing the development of mucositis in a subject undergoing radiation therapy or chemotherapy for a disease in need thereof comprising administering an effective amount of a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor, such as rapamycin, to the subject. Further disclosed is a method of increasing the lifespan of a normal oral keratinocyte and/or reducing oxidative stress in a normal epithelial cell, wherein the method comprises administering an effective amount of an mTOR inhibitor to a subject undergoing radiation therapy or chemotherapy for a disease in need thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of detecting metastasis of a tumor in a subject, such as metastasis to a lymph node. The method includes directly determining an amount of desmoglein-3 (DSG-3) protein in a sample from the subject (such as a lymph node sample) and comparing the amount of DSG-3 protein to a control, wherein an increase in the amount of DSG-3 protein in the sample relative to the control indicates metastasis of the tumor to the lymph node. The disclosed methods further include selecting a therapy (for example, surgery, lymph node dissection, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of two or more thereof) for the subject based on the amount of DSG-3 protein in the sample from the subject.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of treating a head and neck cancer or preventing the development of pre-malignant lesions to this cancer, by administering locally to the oral cavity, a sustained release drug delivery system comprising a drug for the treatment of this cancer or for the prevention of said lesions, and at least one polymer, such that said system is attached to a surface in the oral cavity and remains attached thereto for at least 1 hour, accompanied by release of the drug and maintaining an effective therapeutic concentration thereof in the cavity, for at least 1 hour. Further are disclosed a sustained release drug delivery system and a liquid precursor varnish composition to this system.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of detecting metastasis of a tumor in a subject, such as metastasis to a lymph node. The method includes directly determining an amount of desmoglein-3 (DSG-3) protein in a sample from the subject (such as a lymph node sample) and comparing the amount of DSG-3 protein to a control, wherein an increase in the amount of DSG-3 protein in the sample relative to the control indicates metastasis of the tumor to the lymph node. The disclosed methods further include selecting a therapy (for example, surgery, lymph node dissection, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of two or more thereof) for the subject based on the amount of DSG-3 protein in the sample from the subject.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preventing the development of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in a mammal who is at risk for developing such carcinoma comprising administering an effective amount of a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor to the mammal. An example of such inhibitor is rapamycin.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to a method of screening agents. In particular, the present invention relates to a method of testing the cancer preventing activity of a drug and of testing an agent for its ability to prevent cell transformation.