Analysis of literature data and the results of our own research on the structure of malignant neoplasms indicate the existence of a certain analogy in the mechanisms of formation and spread of biofilms of microorganisms and malignant tumors. Despite the qualitative difference between cellular abnormalities of both types, they are characterized by horizontal gene transfer, which is a consequence of the formation and accumulation of extracellular DNA of dead tissues and increased permeability of the outer cell membranes. In both cases, this leads to the formation of mutated cells that differ significantly from the original forms. The direct consequence of such mutations is the formation of cells which are low-yielding in this environment and are doomed to death. This ensures both for enrichment of the intercellular component and for the disintegration of cellular aggregates with the formation of "floating islands" of intercellular associations of both types. Such formations are sharply superior to unicellular forms in resistance to adverse environmental factors, which provides the spread of biofilms and metastasis.

Aim: To evaluate microviscosity and sorption capacity of erythrocyte membranes (SCEM) from patients with laryngeal cancer (LC). Materials and Methods: Samples from 35 patients with LC of stages II and III and 20 healthy volunteers were investigated by electron paramagnetic resonance with Bis(1-oxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyl-4)-ester of 5,7-dimethyladamantane-1,3-dicarbonic acid (AdTEMPO) probe. SCEM was evaluated by amount of unabsorbed methylene blue. Results: Microviscosity of erythrocyte membranes was determined by the effective rotational diffusion correlation times (τeff) and a decrease in radical spectrum signal intensity per hour. The most apparent decrease in mobility of the AdTEMPO in erythrocytes was observed prior to washing of erythrocytes with 0.9% NaCl for 5 min after probe insertion. The deceleration after 60 min was observed only in stage II LC. τeff was at control values after washing of erythrocytes of stage II LC 5 min after probe insertion and was significantly reduced in stage III LC in comparison to control. Radical spectrum signal intensity per hour in samples of stage II and III patients prior to and after washing of erythrocytes was on average 1.5-fold higher than that of control. SCEM in samples of stage II and III LC was found in 40 and 33% cases, respectively and was on average significantly reduced in comparison to control. Conclusions: The initial interaction of AdTEMPO with erythrocyte membranes of stage II and III LC patients is accompanied by an increase in τeff, indicating deceleration of probe rotation. τeff of the probe in membranes remains unchanged in 60 min, indicating changes in the structural organization of lipid bilayer and its associated proteins in particular. The similarity of SCEM for both studied groups reflects the pathological changes in function of erythrocyte membranes.

Introduction. Cellular membrane barrier alterations lead to metabolic and functional disorders. However, in the case of laryngeal cancer (LC) they are insufficiently studied. The aim of the study – to learn the nature of the interaction of erythrocyte membranes with introduced spin probes as an indicator of changes in the barrier function of membranes at LC. Research Methods. Samples of the erythrocyte membranes from 40 patients with LC stages II and III and 20 healthy volunteers were probed by EPR with AdTEMPO test. Microviscosity of erythrocyte membranes was determined by the τeff and the decreasing in RSSI. The content of MWM was identified in the blood plasma and in erythrocyte. The partition coefficient between blood plasma proteins and erythrocyte glycocalyx was calculated. SCEM was evaluated by amount of unabsorbed methylene blue. Results and Discussion. It was established that LC patient’s endogenous intoxication is characterized by excessive accumulation of the total pool of MWM both in blood plasma and glycocalyx of erythrocyte. SCEM was significantly decreased in samples of both LC stages in comparison to control. The most apparent decline in τeff was observed prior to washing of erythrocytes for 5 min after probe insertion. The deceleration after 60 min was observed only in LC stage II. The value of τeff was at control values levels after washing of erythrocytes of LC stage II 5 min after probe insertion and was significantly reduced in stage III LC in comparison to control. RSSI in samples both stage of patients prior to and after washing of erythrocytes was on average 1.5-fold higher than that of control. Conclusions. It was established that the LC patient’s endogenous intoxication is characterized by excessive accumulation of the total pool of MWM both in blood plasma and glycocalyx of erythrocytes, activation of catabolic processes in plasma, redistribution of MWM between the pool of erythrocyte proteins, which corresponds to the second stage of endotoxicosis. The reduction of the SCEM is shown, which is a manifestation of pathological changes in the surface functional activity of erythrocyte membranes. The effectiveness of AdTEMPO for the eva­luation of microviscosity of erythrocyte membranes in patients with LC was confirmed.

Relevance. In the modern oncology hypopharynx malignant tumors are one of the urgent and significant problems. Hypopharynx is one of the most frequent localizations in the head and neck. An important factor causing the high occurrence in the population is the asymptomatic course of the disease, resulting in patients presenting for treatment with аn already widespread tumour process. Objective: to summarize and systematize data on the etiology and pathogenesis of hypopharynx cancer. Materials and methods. Analysis of scientific publications in the international electronic scientometric databases Scopus, PubMed by keywords. Search depth – 20 years (2001-2020). Results. In recent years, the view on the mechanisms of the development of carcinogenesis has changed dramatically, the tumour is no longer considered as a mass of malignant cells, but rather as a self-sufficient biological structure with a complex microenvironment in which other subpopulations of cells damaged by cancer are involved. The stromal component of the tumour microenvironment consists of various types of cells such as cancer-associated fibroblasts, neutrophils, macrophages, regulatory T-cells, myeloid suppressor cells, NK-cells etc. These subpopulations of cells interact with each other as well as with cancer cells. In addition to amplification, deletion, loss of heterozygosity, as well as polymorphism of some genes that are directly involved in the cell cycle or act as regulators of posttranscriptional modifiers of their products at the early stages of carcinogenesis may be one of the promising directions in creating a panel of markers for the risk of developing hypopharynx cancer. Conclusions. The microenvironment of the tumor consists of many different cell populations. These parts of the surrounding stroma can function as both positive and negative regulators of all signs of cancer, including evasion of apoptosis, induction of angiogenesis, deregulation of energy metabolism, resistance to detection and destruction by the immune system, and activation of invasion and metastasis. Exploring differences in the composition of the tumour microenvironment and their influence on the development and progression of hypopharynx cancer can help better understand mechanisms underlying different responses to therapy, and help to identify possible targets for clinical intervention.

Aim: To evaluate the intensity of lipid peroxidation and the activity of catalase in patients with laryngeal cancer. Materials and Methods: Samples of blood serum and erythrocytes from 40 patients with laryngeal cancer of stages II and III and 20 healthy volunteers were investigated. Results: The level of TBA-positive products and diene conjugates in blood serum samples of stage II and III patients with laryngeal cancer was increased than that of control. In the same time catalase activity was significantly reduced. In the erythrocytes of patients in both groups the level of diene conjugates and catalase activity was higher than that of control. The level of TBA-positive products increased only in patients with III stage disease. Our results indicate the intensification of free-radical oxidation against the background of the functional stress of the antioxidant defense system in patients with laryngeal cancer, as well as the violation of the structural and functional state of erythrocyte plasma membranes, which is manifested in the activation of lipid peroxidation. This indicates about the formation of a complex of disorders, which can play a significant role in the development and deepening of the pathological process.