Emerging biomarkers in head and neck cancer in the era of genomics.
Head and neck cancer (HNC) broadly includes carcinomas arising from the mucosal epithelia of the head and neck region as well as various cell types of salivary glands and the thyroid. As reflected by the multiple sites and histologies of HNC, the molecular characteristics and clinical outcomes of this disease vary widely. In this Review, we focus on established and emerging biomarkers that are most relevant to nasopharyngeal carcinoma and head and neck squamous-cell carcinoma (HNSCC), which includes primary sites in the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx and larynx. Applications and limitations of currently established biomarkers are discussed along with examples of successful biomarker development. For emerging biomarkers, preclinical or retrospective data are also described in the context of recently completed comprehensive molecular analyses of HNSCC, which provide a broad genetic landscape and molecular classification beyond histology and clinical characteristics. We will highlight the ongoing effort that will see a shift from prognostic to predictive biomarker development in HNC with the goal of delivering individualized cancer therapy.
Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, 1650 Orleans Street, CRB-1 Room 344, Baltimore, MD 21287-0013, USA.
Hyunseok
H
Kang
Department of Radiation Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, 1650 Orleans Street, CRB-1 Room 344, Baltimore, MD 21287-0013, USA.
Ana
A
Kiess
1] Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, 1650 Orleans Street, CRB-1 Room 344, Baltimore, MD 21287-0013, USA. [2] Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, 1650 Orleans Street, CRB-1 Room 344, Baltimore, MD 21287-0013, USA.
Christine H
CH
Chung
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics*; D002277:Carcinoma; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000821:virology; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000235:genetics; D023281:Genomics; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000821:virology; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human; D052162:Human papillomavirus 16; D006801:Humans; D000077274:Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000821:virology; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D057285:Precision Medicine; D011379:Prognosis; D000077195:Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C512478:EGFR protein, human; D066246:ErbB Receptors