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Protein glycosylation responds sensitively to disease states. It is implicated in every hallmark of cancer and has recently started to be considered as a hallmark itself. Changes in N‐glycosylation microheterogeneity are more dramatic than those of protein expression due to the non‐template nature of protein glycosylation. This enables their potential use in serum‐based diagnostics. Here, we perform glycopeptidomics on serum from patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), compared to controls and comparing between cancers based on etiology (human papilloma virus‐ positive or negative). Using MS2, we then targeted glycoforms, significantly different between the groups, to identify their glycopeptide compositions. Simultaneously we investigate the same serum proteins, comparing whether N‐glycosylation changes reflect protein‐level changes. Significant glycoforms were identified from proteins such as alpha‐1‐antitrypsin (SERPINA1), haptoglobin, and different immunoglobulins. SERPINA1 had glycovariance at 2 N‐glycosylation sites, that were up to 35 times more abundant in even early‐stage OPSCCs, despite minimal differences between SERPINA1 protein levels between groups. Some identified glycoforms' fold changes (FCs) were in line with serum protein level FCs, others were less abundant in early‐stage cancers but with great variance in higher‐stage cancers, such as on immunoglobulin heavy constant gamma 2, despite no change in protein levels. Such findings indicate that glycovariant analysis might be more beneficial than proteomic analysis, which is yet to be fruitful in the search for biomarkers. Highly sensitive glycopeptide changes could potentially be used in the future for cancer screening. Additionally, characterizing the glycopeptide changes in OPSCC is valuable in the search for potential therapeutic targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives/Hypothesis: We aimed to determine whether there was a difference between core and surface bacteriology of Finnish adults with recurrent or chronic tonsillitis to understand whether a surface swab is worthwhile and which bacteria are involved. Study Design: Case series. Methods: Uninflamed tonsillar surface swabs and core biopsies were taken prior to and during surgery, respectively, in 103 patients aged 16 to 66 years undergoing tonsillectomy for recurrent or chronic tonsillitis. The McNemar test was used to determine differences between the surface and core in the most prevalent bacterial species. Results: Twenty‐seven bacterial species were isolated in addition to normal flora and were more commonly found in the core (1.11 surface and 4.75 core bacteria isolated per patient). Viridans group streptococci were the most commonly detected bacteria, found in 88% of the patients, mainly in the core. The bacteria in general were mainly isolated from the core. Of the 10 most prevalent bacteria, only group C β‐hemolytic streptococci showed no difference between detection from core and surface swabs. Other bacteria found mainly in the core include Prevotella melaninogenica, Staphylococcus aureus, and fusobacteria. Conclusions: There is discord between the surface and core bacteria. A different population of bacteria exists in the core, especially anaerobic bacteria, suggesting that a core sample may be useful in evaluating recurrent and chronic tonsillitis. Level of Evidence: 4 Laryngoscope, 2019 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Head and neck cancer (HNC) comprises a heterogeneous group of upper aerodigestive tract malignant neoplasms, the most frequent of which is squamous cell carcinoma. HNC forms the eighth most common cancer type and the incidence is increasing. However, survival has improved only moderately during the past decades. Currently, early diagnosis remains the mainstay for improving treatment outcomes in this patient population. Unfortunately, screening methods to allow early detection of HNC are not yet established. Therefore, many cases are still diagnosed at advanced stage, compromising outcomes. Exhaled breath analysis (EBA) is a diagnostic tool that has been recently introduced for many cancers. Breath analysis is non‐invasive, cost‐effective, time‐saving, and can potentially be applied for cancer screening. Here, we provide a summary of the accumulated evidence on the feasibility of EBA in the diagnosis of HNC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]