Roswell Park to Spotlight Advances in AI, Immunotherapy and Surgery at International Head/Neck Cancer Meeting 

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center investigators have been selected to deliver 21 oral and poster presentations at the American Head and Neck Society (AHNS) 12th International Conference on Head and Neck Cancer, taking place July 18–22 in Boston. The prestigious international meeting, held only once every three years, brings together leading experts from around the world to advance research and care for people with head and neck cancers. The Roswell Park presentations span the areas of cancer biology, artificial intelligence, immunotherapy, surgical innovation, molecular biomarkers and healthcare access, highlighting the breadth and teamwork of the center’s head and neck cancer research program.

“The impressive body of work reflected in these presentations speaks to the depth, diversity and collaborative strength of our head and neck cancer program,” says Wesley Hicks Jr., MD, FACS, Chair of Head & Neck/Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery at Roswell Park. “From laboratory discoveries and emerging technologies to public-health research and advances in patient care, our investigators are helping shape the future of head and neck cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment. We are honored to have so many of our faculty and fellows selected to share their work on this international stage.”

Late-breaking oral presentation: A Novel Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning-Enhanced Fourier Transform Infrared Microscopy Platform for Risk Identification of Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders

• In a late-breaking oral presentation, first author Subin Surendran, PhD, will highlight a novel artificial intelligence and machine-learning platform designed to identify oral lesions at elevated risk of malignant transformation, work co-led by senior author Moni Abraham Kuriakose, MD. Presentation: Wednesday, July 22, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. ET. 
  
   

Human restricted CHRFAM7A gene may affect invasion properties of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma

• Vishal Gupta, MD, FACS, will present findings investigating how the human-restricted CHRFAM7A gene may influence the invasive properties of oral-cavity squamous cell carcinoma in an oral abstract Sunday morning, in work co-led with Norbert Sule, MD, of Roswell Park and Kinga Szigeti, MD, PhD, of the Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo. Presentation: Sunday, July 19, 10:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. ET.
  
   

Detection of NY-ESO-1 Antigen in Oral Premalignant Disorders, Malignant Tumors, and Patient-Derived Xenograft Models

• In an oral presentation, Subin Surendran, PhD, will present research evaluating the expression of NY-ESO-1, a promising cancer target, across oral premalignant lesions, oral cancers and patient-derived tumor models, work co-led by senior author Moni Abraham Kuriakose, MD. Presentation: Sunday, July 19, 10:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. ET. 
  
   

Medicaid Expansion and Care Pathways in Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma: An NCDB Study (2004-2022)

• A poster presentation led by first author Wesley Hicks Jr., MD, and presented by senior author Vishal Gupta, MD, FACS, examines how Medicaid expansion has influenced care pathways for patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma using nearly two decades of national data. Presentation: Monday, July 20, 5:30-6:30 p.m. ET (Poster Walk). 
  
   

Radar-Guided Localization and Resection for Metastatic Nodal and Soft Tissue Neoplasm in the Head and Neck: A Single-Institution Retrospective Study

• First/presenting author Christine Burton, MD, and senior author Vishal Gupta, MD, FACS, will share Roswell Park’s experience using radar-guided localization technology to assist surgeons in identifying and removing metastatic nodal and soft tissue tumors in complex head and neck procedures. Presentation: Monday, July 20, 5:30-6:30 p.m. ET (Poster Walk). 

Real-World Survival Impact of Immunotherapy in Recurrent/Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Insights from 3,473 Patients in the NCDB (2013-2020)

• During an oral session focused on novel diagnostics and systemic therapies, first/presenting author Alex Vaicius, MD, and senior author Vishal Gupta, MD, FACS, will present findings from a national analysis evaluating survival outcomes associated with immunotherapy in recurrent and metastatic head and neck cancer. Presentation: Tuesday, July 21, 3:30-5 p.m. ET.

Extracellular Vesicle Production and Surrogate Marker Expression in Mouse and Human Models of Oral Premalignancy and Malignancy

• William Magner, PhD, will present new research exploring extracellular vesicles and biomarker expression in oral premalignant and malignant disease models Tuesday, July 21, 3:30-5 p.m. ET. The work was co-led with first author Subin Surendran, PhD, and senior author Moni Abraham Kuriakose, MD.
  
   

About the AHNS International Conference on Head and Neck Cancer

The AHNS International Conference on Head and Neck Cancer is a premier scientific meeting dedicated to head and neck oncology, convening clinicians, researchers and allied health professionals from around the world every three years. The theme of this year’s meeting is “Innovating Head and Neck Cancer Treatment through Multidisciplinary Collaboration.”

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From the world’s first chemotherapy research to the PSA prostate cancer biomarker, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center generates innovations that shape how cancer is detected, treated and prevented worldwide. The Roswell Park team of 4,000+ makes compassionate, patient-centered cancer care and services accessible across New York State and beyond. Rated “Exceptional” by the National Cancer Institute, Roswell Park, founded in 1898, was one of the first NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the country and remains the only one in Upstate New York. To learn more about Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Roswell Park Care Network, visit www.roswellpark.org, call 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355) or email ASKRoswell@RoswellPark.org.