Clinical update on cancer: molecular oncology of head and neck cancer

Abstract

Head and neck cancers encompass a heterogeneous group of tumours that, in general, are biologically aggressive in nature. These cancers remain difficult to treat and treatment can cause severe, long-term side effects. For patients who are not cured by surgery and/or (chemo)radiotherapy, there are few effective treatment options. Targeted therapies and predictive biomarkers are urgently needed in order to improve the management and minimise the treatment toxicity, and to allow selection of patients who are likely to benefit from both nonselective and targeted therapies. This clinical update aims to provide an insight into the current understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of the disease, and explores the novel therapies under development and in clinical trials.

Targeting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

“…By targeting specific pathways or pathway components, it is thought that such drugs aim to act selectively to reduce the adverse effects associated with systemic therapy [13]. Systemic chemotherapy for SCCHN is associated with significant toxicities, highlighting the need for more targeted therapeutics [14].…”

Promising Biomarkers to Predict the Efficacy of Inhibitors of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Tyrosine Kinase in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

“…Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common neoplasm worldwide [1]. Despite advances in treatment, patient survival remains poor, and HNSCC is associated with a high mortality rate.…”

Notch Signaling Activation Is Associated with Patient Mortality and Increased FGF1-Mediated Invasion in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Oral Cavity

“…Increasing incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV) in OPSCCs has corresponded with decreased recurrence and improved overall survival in this subtype. In contrast, relapse is still common in patients with OSCC and survival remains below 70% (1,2). One reason for this limited progress may be the lack of reliable biomarkers for OSCCs.…”