title: Applying the molecular biology and epigenetics of head and neck cancer in everyday clinical practice.
abstract: During the past decade, there has been a significant increase in knowledge regarding the molecular biology and epigenetics of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). This has been aided by the steady development of new technology and novel techniques aimed at elucidating additional aberrant molecular alterations characteristic of HNSCC, including the advent of high throughput assays and the development of more sophisticated bioinformatics tools. In addition, advancements in the field of cancer epigenetics and microRNA have increased the complexity of understanding HNSCC tumorigenesis. These advances have lead to an increasing number of translational studies in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of head and neck cancer. The end result is that molecular biomarkers, gene detection panels and targeted therapeutics are becoming a reality for the care of patients with HNSCC. In this article, we will focus on the many implications of this research as it pertains to clinical practice and the treatment of HNSCC patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA. cglazer2@jhmi.edu
authors.forename: Chad A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Glazer
authors.forename: Steven S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Patrick K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Ha
authors.forename: Joseph A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Califano
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy*; D019295:Computational Biology / Q000379:methods; D019175:DNA Methylation; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D020868:Gene Silencing; D016147:Genes, Tumor Suppressor; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy*; D052162:Human papillomavirus 16 / Q000472:pathogenicity; D052161:Human papillomavirus 18 / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006801:Humans; D019656:Loss of Heterozygosity; D008967:Molecular Biology / Q000379:methods; D012106:Research
chemical_list: D066246:ErbB Receptors