Targeting cellular and molecular drivers of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: current options and emerging perspectives. Review uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • Despite improvements in functional outcomes attributable to advances in radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgical techniques, and imaging techniques, survival in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients has improved only marginally during the last couple of decades, and optimal therapy has yet to be devised. Genomic complexity and intratumoral genetic heterogeneity may contribute to treatment resistance and the propensity for locoregional recurrence. Countering this, it demands a significant effort from both basic and clinical scientists in the search for more effective targeted therapies. Recent genomewide studies have provided valuable insights into the genetic basis of HNSCC, uncovering potential new therapeutic opportunities. In addition, several studies have elucidated how inflammatory, immune, and stromal cells contribute to the particular properties of these neoplasms. In the present review, we introduce recent findings on genomic aberrations resulting from whole-genome sequencing of HNSCC, we discuss how the particular microenvironment affects the pathogenesis of this disease, and we describe clinical trials exploring new perspectives on the use of combined genetic and cellular targeted therapies.

publication date

  • September 1, 2016

Research

keywords

  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy

Identity

PubMed Central ID

  • PMC5524458

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 84969847842

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1007/s40265-013-0025-3

PubMed ID

  • 27194534

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 35

issue

  • 3