Progression of head and neck squamous cell cancer

Abstract

Squamous cell cancer in the head and neck region (HNSC) is unique concerning its progression since it remains locoregional for long time and visceral metastases develop only in a later stage of the disease. Accordingly, molecular markers of the local invasion and the lymphatic dissemination both have critical importance. HNSC progression is associated with deregulated control of cell proliferation and apoptosis but it seems equally significant the disregulation of the proteolytic machineries. Here we outline the lymphatic metastatic cascade for HNSC to depict key molecular determinants as possible prognostic factors or therapeutic targets identifying immunological selection as a major feature. Unlike in local spreading, invasive potential of cancer cells seems to be less significant during lymphatic dissemination due to the anatomical properties of the lymphatic vessels and tissues. There is a general believe that HNSC is one disease however, data indicate that the anatomical localization of the tumor (the "soil") such as oral, lingual, glottic or pharyngeal has a significant effect on the gene expression profile and corresponding biological behavior of HNSC. Furthermore, even the endocrine milieu of the host was proved to be influential in modulating the progression of HNSC. Gene expression profiling techniques combined with proteomics could help to define and select usefull genetic and biomarkers of progression of HNSC, some of them could well be potential novel therapeutic target.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ in mobile tongue squamous cell carcinoma: associations with clinicopathological parameters and patients survival

“…In this context, it should be taken into consideration the fact that head and neck malignancies arise in various sites, such as oral cavity and oropharynx. Thus, tumors from these different anatomic sites have distinct clinical presentations and outcomes and are associated with different risk factors and genetic characteristics, which may complicate the evaluation of potential prognostic markers (Döbrossy 2005;Tímár et al 2005). In view of above considerations, the present study aimed to focus on one anatomic site, assessing for the first time the clinical significance of PPAR-c expression in mobile tongue SCC.…”

Deregulation of manganese superoxide dismutase (SOD2) expression and lymph node metastasis in tongue squamous cell carcinoma

“…Tumors from these different sites have distinct clinical presentations and outcomes, and are associated with different genetic characteristics [1]. In this study, we focused on tongue SCC (TSCC), one of the most common sites for OSCCs.…”

Identification of site-specific prognostic biomarkers in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma

“…Furthermore, tumors from these different sites, often invading more than one, each one with their own particular problems regarding management [3]. Also, it could be shown that various anatomic sites of oral cavity exhibit different risk factors [4] and oncogenic alterations [5] which are reflected in differences in growth pattern, clinical behavior of the tumors and prognosis. This indicates that for OSCC patients, anatomic site of the tumor is an important factor for disease outcome and treatment.…”