Blocked ears could be 'red flag' of deadly cancer - other symptoms to look out for
A GP has highlighted vital 'red flag' symptoms that might be evidence of cancer, like blocked ears, stressing that these signs are often overlooked.
Head and neck cancers, found in the mouth, throat and nose, have become increasingly more prevalent.
A staggering near 13,000 individuals across the UK face a diagnosis of head and neck cancers annually, as figures furnished by Cancer Research UK suggest a rise of over one-third in incidents since the 1990s.
READ MORE: Husband dies of mystery condition six months after their wedding
READ MORE: State pensioners to be stripped of key perk by 2030 with 500,000 affected
Some experts attribute this upsurge to heightened incidences of human papillomavirus (HPV)—an infection that can actuate cancer yet frequently presents no symptoms. To combat a lack of awareness and promote early detection, top oncologist Dr Jiri Kubes is spreading the word on some of the leading indicators.
Operating out of Prague's Proton Therapy Center, Dr Kubes asserts: "Earlier diagnosis is absolutely crucial. The sooner we can identify head and neck cancer, the better the outcome."
He further reveals: "It is considered one of the fastest growing types of cancer in the world but there is still a worrying lack of awareness around head and neck tumours."
He urges vigilance against red flag symptoms that might signify these dangerous cancers.
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London borough to completely ban junk food adverts amid obesity crisis
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Gen X, millennials are about three times more likely than their parents to be diagnosed with appendix cancer, study finds
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'These data reinforce our belief in the differentiated profile of verekitug, as the model elucidates important biologic parameters that drive the differentiated rapid, substantial and sustained treatment effects observed through TSLP receptor inhibition with verekitug,' said Aaron Deykin, MD, Chief Medical Officer and Head of Research & Development of Upstream Bio. 'We look forward to further assessing the potential translation of this unique mechanism into clinical benefit in patients with severe respiratory diseases, first with top-line Phase 2 clinical data in CRSwNP in the third quarter of this year followed by data in severe asthma in the first half of 2026.' Data presented used an in silico system pharmacology modeling approach to provide a mechanism-based understanding for the observed potency of verekitug and are summarized as follows: A digital version of the presentation can be found on the Upstream Bio website. About TSLP and TSLPR Blockade Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin (TSLP) is a cytokine that is a key driver of the inflammatory response in major allergic and inflammatory diseases, such as asthma, where disruption of TSLP signaling has been clinically validated as an effective therapeutic strategy. TSLP activation is one of the first events in the inflammatory cascade stimulated by allergens, viruses and other triggers, initiating the activation of downstream targets such as IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IL-17 and IgE. Because TSLP is a target upstream in the inflammatory cascade, blocking the TSLP receptor (TSLPR) presents an opportunity for a single treatment to impact the drivers of multiple pathological inflammatory processes across a broad set of diseases. About Verekitug Verekitug is a novel recombinant fully human immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) monoclonal antibody (mAb) that binds to the TSLP receptor and inhibits proinflammatory signaling initiated by TSLP. 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Three clinical trials have been completed for verekitug, including a Phase 1 single-ascending dose (SAD) clinical trial and a Phase 1b multiple-ascending dose (MAD) clinical trial. In these trials, verekitug was well tolerated, had no clinically meaningful immunogenicity, and showed a predictable and consistent pharmacokinetic profile and high subcutaneous bioavailability. About Upstream Bio Upstream Bio is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing treatments for inflammatory diseases, with an initial focus on severe respiratory disorders. The Company is developing verekitug, the only known antagonist currently in clinical development that targets the receptor for thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), a cytokine which is a clinically validated driver of inflammatory response positioned upstream of multiple signaling cascades that affect a variety of immune mediated diseases. The Company has advanced this highly potent monoclonal antibody into separate Phase 2 trials for the treatment of severe asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps and is initiating development in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Upstream Bio's team is committed to maximizing verekitug's unique attributes to address the substantial unmet needs for patients underserved by today's standard of care. To learn more, please visit Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each as amended. These statements may be identified by words such as 'aims,' 'anticipates,' 'believes,' 'continue,' 'could,' 'estimates,' 'expects,' 'forecasts,' 'goal,' 'intends,' 'may,' 'plans,' 'possible,' 'potential,' 'predict,' 'project,' 'seeks,' 'should,' 'target,' 'will' and variations of these words or similar expressions. Any statements in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, express or implied statements regarding: the clinical development of verekitug for the treatment of severe asthma, CRSwNP and COPD, including the initiation, timing, progress and results of ongoing and planned clinical trials; expectations for future discussions with regulatory authorities and the potential of the endpoints of the Company's clinical trials to produce data that could support submissions for product approval; expectations regarding the differentiation, safety, efficacy or tolerability of verekitug; expectations regarding the translation of pharmacology modeling data of verekitug to clinical effects; and assessments comparing non-head-to-head clinical data of verekitug to published data for tezepelumab. Any forward-looking statements in this press release are based on the Company's current expectations, estimates and projections only as of the date of this release and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those set forth in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that actual results, levels of activity, safety, efficacy, performance or events and circumstances could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the Company's forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties related to: Upstream Bio's ability to advance verekitug through clinical development, and to obtain regulatory approval of and ultimately commercialize verekitug on the expected timeline, if at all; the initiation, timing, progress and results of clinical trials; Upstream Bio's ability to fund its development activities and achieve development goals; Upstream Bio's dependence on third parties to conduct clinical trials and manufacture verekitug, and commercialize verekitug, if approved; Upstream Bio's ability to attract, hire and retain key personnel, and protect its intellectual property; Upstream Bio's financial condition and need for substantial additional funds in order to complete development activities and commercialize verekitug, if approved; regulatory developments and approval processes of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and comparable foreign regulatory authorities; Upstream Bio's competitors and industry; and other risks and uncertainties described in greater detail under the caption 'Risk Factors' in Upstream Bio's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as well as any subsequent filings with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements represent Upstream Bio's views only as of today and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any subsequent date. Upstream Bio explicitly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in its expectations or any changes in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based except to the extent required by law, and claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investor and Media Contact: Meggan Buckwell Director, Corporate Communications and Investor Relations [email protected]
