Gene alterations in head and neck carcinomas and their role in promoting malignant behavior (Review).
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) survival remains poor despite continuing efforts toward prevention, early detection, and improved treatment modalities. In part, this is thought to be due to a relative lack of molecular targeted therapeutic strategies beyond general mitosis inhibition, which sets a limit to what modern head and neck surgery can accomplish for advanced disease. The past 30 years have produced a large quantity of data, leading to a better understanding of HNSCC carcinogenesis and novel therapeutic agents, such as epidermal growth factor receptor blockers. This article reviews literature on the current understanding of molecular HNSCC carcinogenesis, and highlights the most promising therapeutic approaches.
Görögh
Tibor
T
Division of Experimental Oncology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, University of Schleswig Holstein, Campus Kiel, D-24105 Kiel, Germany. gorogh@hno.uni-kiel.de
Beier
Ulf Henning
UH
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D018450:Disease Progression; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000737:chemistry; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D016147:Genes, Tumor Suppressor; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D066246:ErbB Receptors