title: Effective Biomarkers and Radiation Treatment in Head and Neck Cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Radiation is a key arm in the multidisciplinary treatment of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. During the past 2 decades, significant changes in the way radiation therapy is planned and delivered have improved efficacy and decreased toxicity. Refined approaches in the application of radiation and chemoradiation have led to organ-sparing treatment regimens for laryngeal and pharyngeal cancers and have improved local and regional control rates in the postoperative, adjuvant setting. The molecular and genetic determinants of tumor cell response to radiation have been studied, and several potential biomarkers are emerging that could further improve application and efficacy of radiation treatment in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To discuss the current understanding of potential biomarkers related to radiation response in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Existing published literature.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Several potential biomarkers are actively being studied as predictors and targets to improve the use and efficacy of radiation therapy to treat head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Several promising candidates have been defined, and new markers are on the horizon.
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Ow
authors.forename: Casey E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Pitts
authors.forename: Rafi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kabarriti
authors.affiliation: From the Departments of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (Drs Ow and Garg), Pathology (Dr Ow), Radiation Oncology (Drs Kabarriti and Garg), and Urology (Dr Garg) Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York; and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine (Drs Ow, Kabarriti, and Garg, and Ms Pitts), Bronx.
authors.forename: Madhur K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Garg
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D019941:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 / Q000378:metabolism; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000150:complications; D010610:Pharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D019941:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53