Biomarkers for Use in Monitoring Responses of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cells to Ionizing Radiation

Abstract

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a common head and neck cancer. The incidence rate is higher in southern China and Southeast Asia in comparison with the Western countries. Radiotherapy is the standard treatment of NPC as the cancer cells are sensitive to ionizing radiation. Radiation treatment has good local control to patients with early NPC. It is essential to monitor the response of the NPC cells to radiation treatment in advance in order to select suitable treatment choice for the patients. This review aims to discuss the potential use of biomarkers in monitoring the responsiveness of NPC cells to radiation treatment.

111In-Cetuximab-F(ab′)2 SPECT and 18F-FDG PET for Prediction and Response Monitoring of Combined-Modality Treatment of Human Head and Neck Carcinomas in a Mouse Model

“…Treatment of advanced disease primarily consists of concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy. This combined treatment has improved outcome, albeit only modestly, but also increases treatment-related morbidity (3,4). Cetuximab, an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor, has been shown to significantly improve overall survival and locoregional control through radiosensitization with limited long-term morbidity (5,6).…”

Evaluating Changes of Tumor Hypoxia Using 99Tcm-MNLS Hypoxic Imaging

“…Hypoxic cells in the tumors mainly contribute to this phenomenon because the percentage of hypoxic cells determines the sensitivity of the tumor to radiotherapy. The ionizing radiation of radiotherapy induces DNA to generate free radicals, combining with oxygen to form peroxides, which cause strand break of DNA and lipid peroxidation of the cell membrane, thereby leading to tumor cell death (10). Low oxygen content in hypoxic cells leads to insufficient combination with free radicals generated after radiotherapy to cause tumor cells death, thus, the dose of radiotherapy should be improved.…”

Berberine Hydrochloride Impact on Physiological Processes and Modulation of Twist Levels in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma CNE-1 Cells

“…The ability of BH to inhibit invasion of cancer cells may prevent cancer metastasis. NPC is a highly invasive head and neck cancer commonly associated with regional spread and systemic dissemination (Gao et al, 2012). Prognosis is poor when NPC cells metastasize to distant organs (Ong et al, 2003), and there are limited drugs available for the prevention of cancer metastasis.…”