Update of prognostic and predictive biomarkers in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: a review

Abstract

Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) constitute about 5% of all cancers in the western world and the incidence and mortality rates of this tumor have shown little improvement over the last 30 years. Molecular targeted therapy, a promising strategy for the treatment of OSCC and other cancers, requires the understanding of specific molecular events of carcinogenesis and the different pathological, partly interrelated pathways. Extended knowledge of the prognostic or predictive value of molecular biomarkers in oropharyngeal cancer is necessary to allow a better characterization and classification of the tumor, improve the appraisal of clinical outcome and help to specify individual multimodal therapy with increased efficiency. This work affords an updated summary regarding recent data about tissue biomarkers in patients with OSCC, based on the six essential hallmarks of cancer described by Hanahan and Weinberg (Cell 100(1):57-70, 2000) providing the characterization of a malignant cell.

Caveolin 1 (Cav-1) and actin-related protein 2/3 complex, subunit 1B (ARPC1B) expressions as prognostic indicators for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC)

“…Moreover, an extended knowledge of these predictive markers would facilitate better characterization of these tumors through an understanding of the various molecular pathways of carcinogenesis. This in turn will help to design individual specific molecular targeted therapies that are now considered to be a promising strategy [5,6].…”

“…These molecular markers enable to classify the tumor subtype and aid as prognostic markers for better patient management [6].…”

Comprehensive network analysis of genes expressed in human oropharyngeal cancer

“…In this study, we retrieved the HPV-active, -inactive, -negative OPC and normal benign tissue (uvula, tonsil) microarray data from NCBI GEO datasets and performed coexpression network analysis based on 13 guide genes (C1QB, MMP9, PIK3CG, PCNA, BIRC5, MMP2, MMP3, MYC, CCND1, PTGS2, VEGFA, RHOC and S100A10) involved in OPC [4,26] or other cancer development. Our analysis took 2 steps out from each guide gene and extracted a network containing three subnetworks about cell cycle (62 node genes and 125 edge genes), immune system (44 node genes and 70 edge genes) and organ morphogenesis (128 node gene and 215 edge genes) process separately.…”

Evaluation of Hematological Parameters as a Possible Marker for Head - And - Neck Cancer and Precancerous Conditions

“…In western world, with an incidence of 5%, the outcome of oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) has hardly shown any improvement. 4 The annual worldwide incidence of OSCC is over 300,000 cases, accounting for 2-4% of all new cancers. 4 and its 5% for oropharyngeal cancers in the western world.…”

“…4 The annual worldwide incidence of OSCC is over 300,000 cases, accounting for 2-4% of all new cancers. 4 and its 5% for oropharyngeal cancers in the western world. 5 In India, where the habits of chewing tobacco with betel nut, reverse smoking and heavy alcohol usage are common, its incidence is even higher.…”