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Biomarkers for Head and Neck Cancer

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Abstract

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) account for more than 500,000 new cancer cases worldwide each year. Approximately 250,000 people in the United States live with head and neck cancer. In recent years, the incidence of HNSCC has been increasing among individuals without the typical risk factors of tobacco use and age. The 5 year survival rate for HNSCC is low and has not improved in recent years despite the availability of new targeted therapies. Tobacco carcinogens and their metabolites can directly damage DNA, inducing DNA repair activity. Defective DNA repair can lead to mutations, genomic instability, and altered gene expression leading to cellular transformation. Molecular changes in HNSCC lead to accumulation of genetic defects and clonal expansion. This review summarizes recent results in HNSCC biomarker research. We review the literature on the tumor suppressor p53 as a biomarker for HNSCC. This review also describes published studies on cytokines in HNSCC. We also review the roles of growth factor receptors as biomarkers in HNSCC. The literature on matrix metalloproteinases as HNSCC biomarkers will be reviewed. The use of DNA methylation as biomarkers will also be examined. Finally, we summarize literature on high throughput methods and other gene products which predict cancer risk, progression, and survival. This review provides a valuable resource for design of future translational and clinical studies aimed at prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of HNSCC.

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Abbreviations

AP-1:

activator protein 1

DNA:

deoxyribonucleic acid

EGFR:

epidermal growth factor receptor

ELISA:

enzyme linked immunosorbent assay

HNSCC:

head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Grb2:

growth factor receptor bound 2

HPV:

human papillomavirus

IL:

interleukin

JAK:

Janus kinase

MMP:

matrix metalloproteinase

PCNA:

proliferating cell nuclear antigen

PIAS:

protein inhibitor of activated STAT

qRT-PCR:

quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction

RANTES:

regulated on activation normal T cell expressed and secreted

RTK:

receptor tyrosine kinase

SHP:

SH2 containing phosphatases

SOCS:

suppressor of cytokine signaling

STAT:

signal transducer and activator of transcription

TIMP:

tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase

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  1. University of Illinois at Chicago, 801 S. Paulina Street, Room 530C, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA

    David Crowe

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    James A. Radosevich

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Crowe, D. (2013). Biomarkers for Head and Neck Cancer. In: Radosevich, J. (eds) Head & Neck Cancer: Current Perspectives, Advances, and Challenges. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-5827-8_32

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