An automatic pollen counter (KH-3000) was installed at our facilities in 2007. To assess the usefulness of this automatic pollen counter, we compared the scattering cedar and cypress pollen counts obtained using a conventional Durham sampler with those obtained using the automatic pollen counter. We also analyzed the data from the automatic pollen counter.

Both devices were set up on the roof of the Oita University Faculty of Medicine complex. The pollen counts measured by KH-3000 and the weather data were obtained from the homepage of the Ministry of the Environment pollen observation system. The daily pollen counts measured by the KH-3000 were the specified accumulation pollen counts of 24 h. We analyzed the data from 2008 through 2015, except for 2011.

Missing data were observed about 10% of every hour and from 10 to 20% of every day with the KH-3000. The main cause of missing data was the presence of yellow sand. Pollen counts measured by two devices were significantly correlated every year. The coefficient of correlation was high in February and March and increased with the total pollen count. According to the KH-3000 data, higher temperature and higher wind velocity led to an increase in pollen counts. Decreased pollen counts were observed in rainy weather, at midnight and under conditions of westerly winds. We concluded that the real-time automatic pollen counter was useful for determining the amount of airborne pollen and that this automatic pollen counter may be useful for research on airborne pollen.

Human papillomaviruses (HPV) have been identified as a causative agent of oropharyngeal cancers (OPCs). Although it is not unclear how HPV develop OPCs, in cervical cancers, some studies have suggested that estrogen and its receptors promote cervical cancer in HPV transgenic mouse models. In other studies the apolipoprotein B mRNA-editing catalytic polypeptide 3 (APOBEC3) was induced with estrogen.

We found higher Estrogen Receptor (ER) expression in the biopsy samples of the HPV-positive OPCs than those of HPV-negative OPCs by using immunohistochemical staining and Real-time PCR. ER indicated a favorable prognostic in the HPV-positive OPCs. Furthermore, APOBEC3 mRNA expression was significantly higher in the ER-positive OPCs than in the ER-negative OPCs.

These findings suggest the relationship between APOBEC3 expression and Estrogen-Estrogen receptor and prognosis in HPV-related oropharyngeal cancers.

Recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is difficult to treat with standard therapies. Immunotherapy is expected to be effective for recurrent NPC.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is closely associated with pathogenesis of NPC. EBV antigen is considered to be a good target antigen for an immunotherapy. EBV-specific cytotoxic T cell therapy and EBV peptide vaccine has been reported to be effective for recurrent NPC.

Immune-check point inhibitors such as anti-PD-1 antibody are expected to be effective for NPC. Recently, we have examined how to detect circulating tumor cells (CTC) with NPC patients for determining indication for anti-PD-1 antibody.

Meanwhile, we also focused intrinsic immunity for new therapy for NPC. Intrinsic immunity such as APOBEC3 induced somatic hypermutation for cancer initiation. We found that EBV gene induced APOBEC3 that induced somatic hypermutation. We considered APOBEC3 as a new target for NPC therapy. Further investigations are needed for developing new therapy for NPC.

White blood cell is classified into lymphoid (T cell etc.) and myeloid (granulocyte, monocyte and macrophage etc.) lineages. This review shows current research trends and immunotherapies in myeloid cells in head and neck cancer.

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) is immature and strong immunosuppressive cells in myeloid lineage. We reported MDSC in patients with head and neck cancer suppress T-cell functions and proliferation via PD-L1 and TGF-β. Maturation by vitamins, immune checkpoint inhibitors and molecular target drugs have been anticipated as MDSC-targeted therapy.

Monocyte in systemic circulation is classified into 3 subsets. We have recently reported monocyte in cancer patients is more immature and expressed immunosuppressive molecules as HLA-G and PD-L1.

Macrophage consists of immunostimulatory M1 subset and immunosuppressive M2 increasing in tumor-associated macrophage (TAM). Numerous clinical trials inhibiting suppressive cytokines and chemokines produced by M2 are in progress. Meanwhile, cancer cells express CD47 as “Don’t eat me” signal to evade from the engulfment by macrophage. Recently we reported that high CD47 expression in lingual cancer associated with worse prognosis, and that neutralization of CD47 promoted phagocytosis of oral cancer cells by macrophage. Several clinical trials inhibiting CD47 are now going on.

Despite advances in combination treatment modalities involving surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, the survival rate remains low in patients with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). A new strategy for cancer treatment is required to improve the poor prognosis and QOL impaired by the current standard treatment. NKT cells are activated by a glycolipid ligand, α-galactosylceramide (αGalCer), and upon activation by this ligand, the NKT cells exhibit activity against various cancers. Recently, we have shown the clinical efficacy of an NKT cell-based cancer immunotherapy for HNSCC patients, and the treatment is in progress as an advanced medical treatment targeted at the patients who have achieved complete response after standard treatment to prevent their recurrence. The low responsiveness to treatments are thought to be linked to immune system defects in cancer patients due to tumor escape mechanism such as the accumulation of immune suppressive cells; regulatory T cells (Tregs) and myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). We have reported the accumulations of these immunosuppressive cells and the correlation with the poor prognosis in HNSCC patients. Developing a new combined strategy of cancer-induced immunosuppression-targeted therapy and NKT cells-based immunotherapy may enhance anti-tumor immunity and improve the prognosis in patients with advanced cancer.