title: [HPV-associated head and neck cancer. The basics of molecular and translational research].
abstract: Translational research refers to the interfaces between preclinical research and targeted short- and medium-term developments through to clinical standards. There are two distinct groups of oropharyngeal malignancies: those caused by tobacco and alcohol abuse and those caused by HPV infection. Although the prognosis of patients in the latter group is significantly better, this is not taken into consideration in the choice of treatment. However, less intensive use of radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or surgery, as well as targeted multimodal therapeutic approaches, is under research. This article summarizes the main events in the HPV life cycle, with emphasis on carcinogenic mechanisms and potential new molecular targets. Identifying distinct tumor entities of the oropharynx enables the design and development of new preventive and therapeutic strategies to reduce the incidence and mortality of HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancers in the near future.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde, Kopf-Hals-Chirurgie und plastische Operationen, Universitätsklinikum Gießen & Marburg, Standort Gießen, Klinikstr. 29, 35392, Gießen, Deutschland. claus.wittekindt@hno.med.uni-giessen.de
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wittekindt
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Klussmann
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy / Q000821:virology*; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D019941:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 / Q000235:genetics; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000235:genetics; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics; D052162:Human papillomavirus 16 / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology; D010039:Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy / Q000821:virology*; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy / Q000821:virology*; D011379:Prognosis; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics; D057170:Translational Research, Biomedical; D017735:Virus Latency / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D019941:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16; D004279:DNA, Viral; C512478:EGFR protein, human; D066246:ErbB Receptors