title: Methylation as a biomarker for head and neck cancer.
abstract: Head and neck cancer is a collective term that describes malignant tumors of the oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx characterized by high incidence and mortality rates. Although most HNSCC originate from the mucosal surface of the upper aerodigestive tract, where they can be easily detected during a routine clinical examination. Often the definitive diagnosis is delayed because of the difficulty in differentiating from other similar lesions. Activation of proto-oncogenes and inactivation of tumor suppressor genes are the major molecular alterations involved in carcinogenesis. In addition, epigenetic changes can alter the expression of critical genes important in the development of a variety of cancers. The detection of aberrant gene promoter methylation as a tool for the detection of tumors or its use as prognostic marker have been described for many different cancers including HNSCC. The search for biomarkers has as its main aim the evaluation and measurement of the status of normal and pathological biological processes as well as pharmacological responses to certain treatments. The tracking of these biomarkers is an important part for the identification of individuals in the early stages of head and neck cancer for its diagnostic and prognostic relevance reflecting in high survival rates, better quality of life and less cost to the healthcare system. Therefore, assuming that cancer results from genetic and epigenetic changes, analyzes based on gene methylation profile in combination with the pathological diagnosis would be useful in predicting the behavior of these head and neck tumors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology, São José do Rio Preto Medical School (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto - SP, Brazil; Center for Research in Molecular Oncology, Barretos Cancer Hospital - Pio XII, Barretos - SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: L M R B
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Arantes
authors.affiliation: Center for Research in Molecular Oncology, Barretos Cancer Hospital - Pio XII, Barretos - SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: de Carvalho
authors.affiliation: Center for Research in Molecular Oncology, Barretos Cancer Hospital - Pio XII, Barretos - SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Melendez
authors.affiliation: Center for Research in Molecular Oncology, Barretos Cancer Hospital - Pio XII, Barretos - SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology, São José do Rio Preto Medical School (FAMERP), São José do Rio Preto - SP, Brazil. Electronic address: eny.goloni@famerp.br.
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Goloni-Bertollo
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D019175:DNA Methylation; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor
keywords: Biomarkers; DNA methylation; Exfoliated cells; Head and neck cancer; Plasma; Saliva; Serum