MicroRNAs Involvement in Radioresistance of Head and Neck Cancer

Abstract

Resistance to the ionizing radiation is a current problem in the treatment and clinical management of various cancers including head and neck cancer. There are several biological and molecular mechanisms described to be responsible for resistance of the tumors to radiotherapy. Among them, the main mechanisms include alterations in intracellular pathways involved in DNA damage and repair, apoptosis, proliferation, and angiogenesis. It has been found that regulation of these complex processes is often controlled by microRNAs. MicroRNAs are short endogenous RNA molecules that posttranscriptionally modulate gene expression and their deregulated expression has been observed in many tumors including head and neck cancer. Specific expression patterns of microRNAs have also been shown to predict prognosis and therapeutic response in head and neck cancer. Therefore, microRNAs present promising biomarkers and therapeutic targets that might overcome resistance to radiation and improve prognosis of head and neck cancer patients. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of the functional role of microRNAs in radioresistance of cancer with special focus on head and neck cancer.

miR‐155‐5p and miR‐760 mediate radiation therapy suppressed malignancy of non‐small cell lung cancer cells

“…Previous studies revealed that a growing number of miRNAs are involved in the radiosensitivity of cancers including NSCLC . In lung cancer cells, overexpression of miR‐133b can sensitize radioresistant lung cancer cells by inhibiting pyruvate kinase isoform M2 (PKM2)‐mediated glycolysis .…”

MicroRNA-15b-5p Predicts Locoregional Relapse in Head and Neck Carcinoma Patients Treated With Intensity-modulated Radiotherapy

“…Head and neck cancer (HNC) is the sixth most common type of cancer worldwide and represents a heterogeneous group of diseases, including several classifications according to the anatomic location, the etiology, as well as molecular features (1,2). The vast majority of HNCs are squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) developing in the oral cavity, the pharynx, or the larynx (2). Etiological factors of HNSCCs development include excessive use of tobacco and alcohol, as well as infection with human papilloma and Epstein-Barr viruses (2).…”

“…The vast majority of HNCs are squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) developing in the oral cavity, the pharynx, or the larynx (2). Etiological factors of HNSCCs development include excessive use of tobacco and alcohol, as well as infection with human papilloma and Epstein-Barr viruses (2). The gold-standard therapy protocol consists of radical surgical resection followed by adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) as monotherapy, followed by chemotherapy or targeted therapy (3).…”

Expression of CD44, EGFR, p16, and their mutual combinations in patients with head and neck cancer: Impact on outcomes of intensity‐modulated radiation therapy

“…A variety of different biomarkers with promising diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive values are currently investigated in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) . Finished and ongoing clinical trials have been evaluating the potential of reduced‐dose radiotherapy (RT) in less aggressive radiosensitive HNSCC defined by human papillomavirus (HPV) positivity, with the promise of less acute and late toxicity .…”