title: Non coding RNAs in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC): a clinical perspective.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is a common cause of cancer death. Despite decades of clinical studies exploring new treatments and considerable advance in multimodality treatment, satisfactory curative rates have not yet been reached. In the last few decades the emerging data from both tumor biology and clinical trials led to growing interest for research of predictive biomarkers. However, no molecular markers were discovered to improve clinical outcomes and to be used as new anticancer agents. Non coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are promising biomarkers. They are important regulators both in normal biological process and in proliferation, metastasis, chemo-radioresistance.
  
  
  METHODS
  We revised the literature on this topic to summarize current findings on ncRNAs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Several studies reported an altered regulation of ncRNAs and a specific cancer site signature has also been described among different primary head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). Moreover, expression of ncRNAs correlates with poor prognosis and resistance to treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ncRNAs are emerging potential molecular markers and anticancer agents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, S. Croce University Hospital Cuneo, Cuneo, Italy.
authors.forename: Nerina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Denaro
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, S. Croce University Hospital Cuneo, Cuneo, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco Carlo
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Merlano
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiotherapy, S. Croce University Hospital Cuneo, Cuneo, Italy.
authors.forename: Elvio Grazioso
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Russi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, S. Croce University Hospital Cuneo, Cuneo, Italy lonigro.c@ospedale.cuneo.it.
authors.forename: Cristiana
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lo Nigro
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D062085:RNA, Long Noncoding / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D012907:Smoking / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000077195:Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D035683:MicroRNAs; D062085:RNA, Long Noncoding
keywords: HNSCC; ncRNA; prognostic factors; review