Purpose: Aurora kinaseA (AURKA/STK15/BTAK) encodes a serine/threonine kinase associated with chromosomal distribution and its up-regulation induces chromosomal instability, thereby leading to aneuploidy and cell transformation in several types of cancer. In this study, we investigated the role of AURKA in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Experimental Design: The mRNA expression levels of AURKA were compared in tumor tissues of 66 HNSCC patients with those in corresponding normal squamous epithelium by real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR. In addition, the association between AURKA mRNA and protein expression, centrosome abnormalities, and aneuploidy was studied in a subset of cases (n = 34). All molecular variables were correlated to histomorphologic findings and clinical followup data of the patients. Results: AURKA mRNA up-regulation was significantly associated with tumor stage and the occurrence of regional lymph node, as well as distant metastasis (P < 0.0001 for all). Similarly, a correlation was found for protein expression and the occurrence of regional lymph node (P = 0.0183) and distant metastasis (P = 0.03).The mRNA was positively associated with protein expression (P = 0.003) and centrosome abnormalities (P = 0.03). Cox regression analysis revealed that AURKA mRNA up-regulation correlated with disease-free survival of the patients (P = 0.03) as well as shorter overall survival (P < 0.001). Conclusions:We conclude that the up-regulation of AURKA mRNA may play a critical role in the tumor progression of HNSCC and provides useful information as a prognostic factor for HNSCC patients.Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide and survival rates are not improving (1). Therapeutic decisions are usually based on clinical and histopathologic variables like tumor-node-metastasis stage and tumor grading, which, however, often fail to predict patient outcome. Therefore, there is a need to better understand HNSCC development and progression on the molecular level. This should lead to an improved stratification between higherrisk and lower-risk patients, which can be treated in a more selective and individualized manner.DNA gains on chromosome 20q are recurrent findings in HNSCC (2, 3) and are associated with lymph node metastasis, as recently shown by array-based comparative genomic hybridization (4). Aurora kinase A (AURKA/BTAK/AIK1/ STK15) maps close to the critical region of this DNA gain and is localized on 20q13.2 (5). AURKA is a member of the Aurora/Ipl1p family of cell cycle -regulating serine/threonine kinases and is localized at interphase and mitotic centrosomes and at the spindle poles where it regulates proper chromosome segregation and cytokinesis (6). Recent studies have shown that the ectopic expression of Aurora-A in mouse NIH 3T3 cells and Rat-1 fibroblasts causes centrosome amplification and transformation in vitro as well as tumorigenesis in vivo (7,8). Furthermore, the up-regulation of AURKA leads to abnormal cent...

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Mistletoe extracts are widely used in the treatment of cancer. The results of clinical trials are however highly inconsistent. We therefore conducted a systematic review of all randomised clinical trials of this unconventional therapy. Eight databases were searched to identify all studies that met our inclusion/exclusion criteria. Data were independently validated and extracted by 2 authors and checked by the 3rd according to predefined criteria. Statistical pooling was not possible because of the heterogeneity of the primary studies. Therefore a narrative systematic review was conducted. Ten trials could be included. Most of the studies had considerable weaknesses in terms of study design, reporting or both. Some of the weaker studies implied benefits of mistletoe extracts, particularly in terms of quality of life. None of the methodologically stronger trials exhibited efficacy in terms of quality of life, survival or other outcome measures. Rigorous trials of mistletoe extracts fail to demonstrate efficacy of this therapy.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of different surgical treatments as well as of radiotherapy for laryngeal carcinomas on health-related quality of life (QL). In a prospective, randomized multicenter study (five university hospitals in Germany), a total of 146 patients with laryngeal carcinomas (UICC stages: I–IV) underwent different surgical treatments (32 total laryngectomies, 81 CO₂ laser microsurgical partial laryngectomies, 33 open partial laryngectomies). Postoperative radiotherapy was performed in 44 patients. QL data were obtained by using the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire (developed by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer). Impaired QL data were seen after total laryngectomy and after radiotherapy. Radiotherapy seemed to have more impact on QL than surgical treatment. Global QL was not affected by any treatment. In general, the QL data were not as discriminating as presumed. To evaluate coping abilities, objective measures (voice, swallowing, breathing) should be obtained for comparison in further investigations.