title: Targeting cellular and molecular drivers of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: current options and emerging perspectives.
abstract: Despite improvements in functional outcomes attributable to advances in radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgical techniques, and imaging techniques, survival in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients has improved only marginally during the last couple of decades, and optimal therapy has yet to be devised. Genomic complexity and intratumoral genetic heterogeneity may contribute to treatment resistance and the propensity for locoregional recurrence. Countering this, it demands a significant effort from both basic and clinical scientists in the search for more effective targeted therapies. Recent genomewide studies have provided valuable insights into the genetic basis of HNSCC, uncovering potential new therapeutic opportunities. In addition, several studies have elucidated how inflammatory, immune, and stromal cells contribute to the particular properties of these neoplasms. In the present review, we introduce recent findings on genomic aberrations resulting from whole-genome sequencing of HNSCC, we discuss how the particular microenvironment affects the pathogenesis of this disease, and we describe clinical trials exploring new perspectives on the use of combined genetic and cellular targeted therapies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Simonetta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ausoni
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences, ENT Clinic and Regional Center for Head and Neck Cancer, University of Padua, Treviso Regional Hospital, Treviso, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Boscolo-Rizzo
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Epithelial Cancer Biology, Head and Neck Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Bhuvanesh
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences, ENT Clinic and Regional Center for Head and Neck Cancer, University of Padua, Treviso Regional Hospital, Treviso, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Cristina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Da Mosto
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Cattinara Hospital, Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Giacomo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Spinato
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Cattinara Hospital, Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Giancarlo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tirelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Dell'Angelo Hospital, Mestre, Venezia, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Spinato
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Mirano Hospital, Local Health Unit 13, Mirano, Venezia, Italy. giuseppe.azzarello@ulss13mirano.ven.it.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Azzarello
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D060787:Neoplasm Grading; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D000077195:Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; D059016:Tumor Microenvironment / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors
keywords: Head and neck cancer; Human papillomavirus; Squamous cell carcinoma; Target therapy; Tumor microenvironment