State-of-the-art management of locally advanced head and neck cancer

Abstract

During the past 20 years, treatments for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) have changed dramatically owing largely to the advent of novel approaches such as combined modality therapy as well as improvements in surgical and radiotherapeutic techniques. Locally advanced disease in particular, which engendered very high recurrence and mortality rates, is now associated with long-term disease-free survival in the majority of cases. This article will focus on locally advanced HNSCC, which frequently remains a clinical challenge, review state-of-the-art therapy, and introduce promising novel therapies. The field continues to evolve rapidly with new evidence during the past year clearly establishing the benefit of adjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT), as well as early evidence showing improved survival with the use of an epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor in combination with radiotherapy. There are varied regimens in use for patients with locally advanced disease, but at the same time the multitude of options can plague the clinician when trying to select the most appropriate one. This article will attempt to put the various approaches into perspective and propose an evidence-based treatment algorithm.

Effect of DJ-1 overexpression on the proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and migration of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma SNU-46 cells through PI3K/AKT/mTOR

“…Currently, the overall 5-year survival rate is still hovering at 55-65% (16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21). The molecular biological mechanisms of the pathogenesis of laryngeal cancer remain to be explored.…”

Gemcitabine-Based Chemoradiation in the Treatment of Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer: Systematic Review of Literature and Meta-Analysis

“…Concurrent chemotherapy and radiation (CCRT) is the standard treatment for locoregionally advanced (LA) squamous cell carcinoma (SCCHN) of the head and neck (oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, and larynx) [1][2][3][4]. Platinum-based CCRT, in particular, is considered standard for patients with unresectable LA-SCCHN, patients with resectable yet nonsurgically treated cancer, and postoperative high-risk patients [5][6][7][8][9].…”

Prognostic impact of Fas-associated death domain, a key component in death receptor signaling, is dependent on the presence of lymph node metastasis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

“…The 5-year survival rate for patients with LNM is approximately 25-50%. 1 Thus, better understanding of the biology of HNSCC metastasis and the development of better treatments for metastatic HNSCC are urgently needed.…”