title: Role of activated nuclear factor-kappaB in the pathogenesis and therapy of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), a transcription factor known to modulate expression of factors involved in inflammation, immunity, proliferation, and apoptosis, is constitutively activated and plays a role in pathogenesis and therapeutic resistance in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Understanding the molecular alterations leading to aberrant NF-kappaB activation in HNSCC may direct investigators to novel therapeutic targets.
  
  
  METHODS
  Results of laboratory and clinical studies are reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The structure, function, and activation of NF-kappaB, products of NF-kappaB target genes and their role in HNSCC oncogenesis, and current NF-kappaB modulating interventions are described.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Aberrant NF-kappaB activation contributes to the expression of oncogenes and the malignant phenotype observed in HNSCC. NF-kappaB, along with providing a link between cancer and inflammation, may serve as an appropriate therapeutic target to inhibit tumor growth and sensitize cancer cells to established cytotoxic anticancer therapies.
authors.affiliation: Head and Neck Surgery Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive, CRC 4-2732, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA.
authors.forename: Clint T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: Justin L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Ricker
authors.forename: Zhong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Carter
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Van Waes
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002470:Cell Survival; D018450:Disease Progression; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D009857:Oncogenes
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D016328:NF-kappa B