title: [Cancer stem cell phenotypes and miRNA: therapeutic targets in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide. HNSCC is caused by persistent high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection or excessive consumption of alcohol or tobacco. The persistently low survival rates result from local recurrences and metastases, which are probably caused by so-called tumor stem cells (TSCs). The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) or transformation is a key event in metastasis initiation and is being increasingly associated with TSCs.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This review describes new therapeutic targets in HNSCC, focusing on the TSC hypothesis and EMT regulation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  TSCs and EMT are regulated directly and indirectly via transcription factors and microRNAs (miRNAs). These miRNAs regulate multiple cellular processes and may serve as new therapeutic targets, whose modulation could increase the effectiveness of HNSCC treatments. Post-transcriptionally, miRNAs regulate transcription factors associated with EMT (ZEB1/2, EZH2, Bmi-1), tumor suppressors (p53), TSC markers (ALDH, CD44, EpCAM, p63) and both epithelial (E-cadherin) and mesenchymal markers (vimentin).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Alterations in HNSSC TSC miRNA expression before and after chemotherapy could potentially serve as a therapeutic control. In the long term, knowledge of a patient's individual protein expression pattern may permit application of specific chemotherapy. Such individualized therapy might prohibit the development of metastases and potentially unresectable recurrences with a high resistance to radiation and chemotherapy, thus improving the prognosis in HNSCC patients.
authors.affiliation: Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenklinik, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12200, Berlin, Deutschland.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Coordes
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhifeng
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sangvatanakul
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Qian
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lenarz
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Kaufmann
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Albers
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics*; D058750:Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D018390:Gene Targeting / Q000379:methods; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics*; D008957:Models, Genetic; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D000077195:Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D035683:MicroRNAs; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins