In this work, an intra-nanocomposite resonance energy transfer-based electrochemiluminescence (RET-ECL) biosensor was developed for detecting microRNA (miRNA-21), a cervical cancer relative biomarker. By means of the in-situ reduction method, silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were uniformly coated on the surface of Zirconium-based metal organic frameworks (UiO-66-NH2) encapsulated with Ru(bpy)32+ (Ru@UiO-66-NH2), thus forming the Ru@UiO-66-NH2@Ag nanocomposite. Because of the incorporation of both ECL donor (Ru(bpy)32+) and acceptor (Ag NPs) within a single nanostructure, Ru@UiO-66-NH2@Ag showed high RET efficiency, causing a significantly quenched ECL response. Afterward, the presence of miRNA-21 activated the upstream toehold-mediated strand displacement reactions (TSDR) to generate abundant S strands, which could further trigger the downstream catalytic hairpin assembly (CHA). Immobilizing glucose oxidase (GOD) on the surface of Ru@UiO-66-NH2@Ag enabled the catalysis of glucose oxidation and then the produced H2O2 proceeded to etch Ag NPs to Ag+. As a result, a notably recovered ECL response was obtained for miRNA-21 assay with a low detection limit of 30 aM. Moreover, the biosensor successfully analyzed miRNA-21 expression levels in serum samples collected from cervical cancer patient and healthy volunteers, whose results were consistent with those of the standard methods. Therefore, this biosensor held huge potential in analysis of cervical cancer-related miRNA.

Single-nuclei multiomic profiling of clinical biopsies is often hindered by limited tumor mass and high debris content. Here, we present a protocol for the dissociation of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and matched-normal tissues using a mechanical-enzymatic workflow. We describe steps for minimizing ambient nucleic acid background by red blood cell (RBC) lysis and DNase-I treatment and for removing cellular debris using density gradient centrifugation. We then detail procedures for isolating intact nuclei and modified single-nuclei assay for transposase-accessible chromatin sequencing (sn-ATAC) and 3'-GEX (gene expression) indexing PCR and size selection to maximize library complexity.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a global malignancy characterised by extremely low survival rates, primarily contributed to by late diagnosis, tumour heterogeneity, and resistance to available therapies. Deciphering reliable biomarkers is crucial for early diagnosis, prognosis and personalized therapy. This review discusses the possibilities of clusterin (CLU) as an emerging biomarker in the field of HNSCC therapeutics by incorporating insights derived from preclinical, clinical and proteomic data.

Sentinel node navigation surgery (SNNS) minimizes unnecessary lymphadenectomy and its associated complications while enhancing detection of lymph node micrometastases through ultrastaging. A 34-year-old nulligravid woman with a history of CIN2 was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma (4.5 mm width, 4 mm depth) with lymphovascular invasion after conization. Clinical stage was T1a2 (FIGO 2018). Modified-radical trachelectomy with SNNS was planned for fertility preservation. SPECT-CT identified bilateral obturator and left lower para-aortic sentinel nodes. Intraoperative frozen sections revealed a 1.1 mm micrometastasis in the left obturator node and a 2.5 mm macrometastasis in the left para-aortic node. The procedure was converted to modified-radical hysterectomy with bilateral adnexectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy, followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy including the para-aortic field. The patient remains disease-free at 10 months. Without SNNS, the para-aortic metastasis would have been undetected, resulting in inadequate radiation coverage. SNNS fundamentally changes therapeutic approaches by enabling accurate disease extent identification and individualized treatment.

Neoadjuvant immunotherapy is increasingly incorporated into the management of resectable locally advanced mucosal head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, raising questions about its impact on surgical decision-making. Despite encouraging trial data, limitations in response assessment and evidence of heterogeneous tumor regression challenge the use of treatment response to guide surgical de-escalation. This commentary highlights current uncertainties and emphasizes the need for prospective evidence before response-adapted surgical strategies can be safely implemented.