Personalized Targeted Therapeutic Strategies against Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. An Evidence-Based Review of Literature

Abstract

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common type of malignant tumor in the head and neck, with a poor prognosis mainly due to recurrence and metastasis. Classical treatment modalities for OSCC like surgery and radiotherapy have difficulties in dealing with metastatic tumors, and together with chemotherapy, they have major problems related to non-specific cell death. Molecular targeted therapies offer solutions to these problems through not only potentially maximizing the anticancer efficacy but also minimizing the treatment-related toxicity. Among them, the receptor-mediated targeted delivery of anticancer therapeutics remains the most promising one. As OSCC exhibits a heterogeneous nature, selecting the appropriate receptors for targeting is the prerequisite. Hence, we reviewed the OSCC-associated receptors previously used in targeted therapy, focused on their biochemical characteristics and expression patterns, and discussed the application potential in personalized targeted therapy of OSCC. We hope that a better comprehension of this subject will help to provide the fundamental information for OSCC personalized therapeutic planning.

Water-soluble 4-(dimethylaminomethyl)heliomycin exerts greater antitumor effects than parental heliomycin by targeting the tNOX-SIRT1 axis and apoptosis in oral cancer cells

“…In conjunction with surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, targeted therapy has emerged as a promising therapy for oral cancers, such as by targeting proteins that are overexpressed in cancer cells (e.g. EGFR and PD1; Li et al, 2022 ; Cheng et al, 2022 ; Cao et al, 2022 ). In this regard, we explored the possibility of the antibiotic heliomycin and a water-soluble heliomycin derivative as therapeutic strategies and identified their cellular targets.…”

BST2 regulated by the transcription factor STAT1 can promote metastasis, invasion and proliferation of oral squamous cell carcinoma via the AKT/ERK1/2 signaling pathway

“…OSCC is a malignant tumor with high morbidity and mortality and is a threat to human health (16). OSCC often involves the tongue and lips, and can easily spread to other organs, including the lungs and lymph nodes (17)(18)(19). The lack of specific detection of OSCC tumor boundaries makes it difficult to determine the extent of disease at the time of treatment and often adversely affects a patient's appearance and quality of life after surgery (20).…”

Water-soluble 4-(dimethylaminomethyl)heliomycin exerts greater antitumor effects than parental heliomycin by targeting the tNOX-SIRT1 axis and apoptosis in oral cancer cells

“…Unfortunately, the prognosis and 5-year overall survival of oral cancer patients remain disappointing, despite countless efforts to improve early diagnosis and expand treatment options [47][48][49]. In conjunction with surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, targeted therapy has emerged as a promising therapy for oral cancers, such as by targeting proteins that are overexpressed in cancer cells (e.g., EGFR and PD1) [50][51][52]. In this regard, we explored the possibility of the antibiotic heliomycin and a water-soluble heliomycin derivative as therapeutic strategies and identified their cellular targets.…”