title: Micro-ribonucleic acids in head and neck cancer: an introduction.
abstract: METHODS
  Head and neck cancer is the sixth most common cancer worldwide. Advances in management have not greatly altered overall survival. Over the last decade, there have been significant scientific advances in our knowledge of cell cycle regulation and the complex oncogenic processes. MicroRNAs are small, non-coding RNAs which are integral to the regulation of gene expression and which play a part in carcinogenesis. The literature on the role of microRNA in head and neck cancer is reviewed.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To introduce the role and significance of microRNAs in head and neck cancer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The possibilities of incorporating microRNAs into clinical practice are discussed, including their potential role in diagnosis, prognosis, prediction of metastatic spread, therapy and tumour surveillance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Discoveries in expression profiling of microRNA in head and neck oncology promise advancements in the diagnosis, prognosis and therapy of these cancers.
authors.affiliation: Flinders ENT, Flinders Medical Centre and Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia. indunilg@hotmail.com
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gunawardena
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fitzgerald
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Morley
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Hussey
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Woods
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Carney
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000235:genetics; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D035683:MicroRNAs