Impacts of Environmental Factors on Head and Neck Cancer Pathogenesis and Progression

Abstract

Epidemiological and clinical studies over the past two decades have provided strong evidence that genetic elements interacting with environmental components can individually and collectively influence one’s susceptibility to cancer. In addition to tumorigenic properties, numerous environmental factors, such as nutrition, chemical carcinogens, and tobacco/alcohol consumption, possess pro-invasive and pro-metastatic cancer features. In contrast to traditional cancer treatment, modern therapeutics not only take into account an individual’s genetic makeup but also consider gene–environment interactions. The current review sharpens the focus by elaborating on the impact that environmental factors have on the pathogenesis and progression of head and neck cancer and the underlying molecular mechanisms involved. Recent advances, challenges, and future perspectives in this area of research are also discussed. Inhibiting key environmental drivers of tumor progression should yield survival benefits for patients at any stage of head and neck cancer.

Blockade of glutamine-dependent cell survival augments antitumor efficacy of CPI-613 in head and neck cancer

“…HNSCC is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers worldwide and remains one of the most difficult cancer types to treat due to its pathology and limited treatment options [ 37 , 38 ]. Cancer cells have distinct metabolic states that support their proliferation and progression, suggesting that targeting the metabolic differences between cancer and normal cells may be a promising and novel anticancer strategy.…”

Head and Neck Cancers Are Not Alike When Tarred with the Same Brush: An Epigenetic Perspective from the Cancerization Field to Prognosis

“…Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) are among the ten most frequent and lethal cancers among men worldwide, affecting both developed and developing countries [1]. It is usually associated with lifelong exposure to tobacco and alcohol [2][3][4], but more recently, human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has emerged as a third risk factor [4]. HPV drives oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCC) with better treatment response and overall survival that led to the establishment of specific guidelines in the last TNM Classification of Malignant Tumors [5].…”

Biomedical Relevance of Novel Anticancer Peptides in the Sensitive Treatment of Cancer

“…The causes of cancer have been linked to a series of interactions between an individual's genetic factors and the three categories of external agents [5]. These external agents include biological carcinogens through infections from some parasites, viruses and bacteria [6]; physical carcinogens through the interaction with ultraviolet and ionizing radiation [7]; and chemical carcinogens through exposure to asbestos, tobacco smoke, water contaminants, such as arsenic, and food contaminants such as aflatoxins [8]. Approximately thirteen percent of cancers diagnosed in 2018, for instance, were caused by carcinogenic infections such as hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, Epstein Barr virus, human papillomavirus (HPV) and Helicobacter pylori [9].…”