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Stem Cells and Human Diseases pp 497–507Cite as

Cancer Stem Cells and Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas

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Abstract

Recurrence and resistance to standard chemo- or radiotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma contribute significantly to the limited improvement of overall survival in head and neck cancer patients. The cancer stem cell hypothesis postulated that a subpopulation of cancer cells possess self-renewal ability, and produce differentiated cells to form the tumor mass. These cells may have distinct genotype and phenotype, and fail to respond to most of the current chemo- and radiotherapy, leading to tumor recurrence and resistance to therapy. Thus, identifying, characterizing, and understanding the cellular and molecular biology of putative cancer stem cells will provide a novel and possibly yield a more effective therapeutic approach. In this chapter, I will review recent advances on cancer stem cells in head and neck cancer and summarize them into four topics: (1) Putative cancer stem cell markers for head and neck cancer. (2) The PI3K/PTEN/AKT signaling as regulator for cancer stem cells. (3) Metastatic cancer stem cells and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. (4) Targeting head and neck cancer stem cells for cancer therapy

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Otolaryngology, Dermatology, Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Research Complex 2, Room 7112, 12700 E 19th Avenue, Aurora, CO, 80016, USA

    Shi-Long Lu Ph.D.

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Correspondence to Shi-Long Lu Ph.D. .

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  1. , Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Rainbow Blvd 3901, Kansas City, 66160, Kansas, USA

    Rakesh Srivastava

  2. , Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Rainbow Blvd 3901, Kansas City, 66160, Kansas, USA

    Sharmila Shankar

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Lu, SL. (2012). Cancer Stem Cells and Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas. In: Srivastava, R., Shankar, S. (eds) Stem Cells and Human Diseases. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-2801-1_23

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