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FGFR4 as a Biomarker in Squamous Cell Cancers of Mouth and Oropharynx

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Biomarkers in Cancer

Abstract

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a malignancy associated with severe mortality despite advances in therapy, and it ranks among the top ten most common cancers worldwide, with a large incidence variation according to sex and geographical location. At the moment, no biomarkers are currently available for HNSCC patients; prognosis depends largely on the stage at presentation, with the most important prognostic factor. Fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) and ligand binding are among the many molecules that are involved in the tumorigenesis process. These receptors, including FGFR4, belong to the receptor tyrosine kinase family leads to cell growth, mitosis, and differentiation. Mutations and amplifications in FGFR4 have been linked to aggressive tumor progression, and metastasis is associated with poor prognosis in HNSCC. In this review, we summarize the FGF/FGFR complex, signalization mechanisms, and the molecular implications of FGFR4 as potential biomarker for HNSCC.

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Abbreviations

AKT:

Serina/Treonina Kinase, Also Known as Protein Kinase B (PKB)

CAMs:

Cell Adhesion Molecules

CHD:

CAM Homology Domain

CNV:

Copy Number Variation

EGFR:

Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor

FGF:

Fibroblast Growth Factor

FGFR:

Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor

HER2 (ErbB2):

Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2

HNSCC:

Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

HRAS:

Harvey Rat Sarcoma Viral Oncogene Homologue

HSPGs:

Heparin and Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans

Ig:

Immunoglobulin

KRAS:

Kirsten Rat Sarcoma Viral Oncogene Homologue

MAPK:

Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases

MHC:

Major Histocompatibility Complex

NCAMs:

Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules

PLCγ:

Phopholipase C – gamma

RTK:

Receptor Tyrosine Kinase

SNP:

Single Nucleotide Polymorphism

STAT:

Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, University of Sao Paulo, Laboratório de Citogenômica, LIM 03, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

    Roberta Lelis Dutra

  2. Department of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN) – Campus Caicó, Caicó, RN, Brazil

    Marcelo dos Santos

  3. Programa de Pós-graduação em Biotecnologia, Núcleo de Genética Humana e Molecular, Federal University of Espirito Santo (UFES), Vitória, ES, Brazil

    Suzanny Oliveira Mendes & Gabriela Tonini Peterle

  4. Department of Biology, Federal University of Espirito Santo (UFES), Human and Molecular Genetics Center, Vitória, ES, Brazil

    Iúri Drumond Louro

  5. Department of Biology, Federal University of Espirito Santo – Center of Agrarian Sciences (CCA/UFES), Alegre, ES, Brazil

    Adriana Madeira Álvares da Silva Conforti

Authors
  1. Roberta Lelis Dutra
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  2. Marcelo dos Santos
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  3. Suzanny Oliveira Mendes
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  4. Gabriela Tonini Peterle
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  5. Iúri Drumond Louro
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  6. Adriana Madeira Álvares da Silva Conforti
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Correspondence to Adriana Madeira Álvares da Silva Conforti .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine King’s College London, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics Division of Diabetes & Nutritional Scien, London, United Kingdom

    Victor R. Preedy

  2. Faculty of Science & Technology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Westminster, London, United Kingdom

    Vinood B. Patel

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Dutra, R.L., dos Santos, M., Mendes, S.O., Peterle, G.T., Louro, I.D., da Silva Conforti, A.M.Á. (2015). FGFR4 as a Biomarker in Squamous Cell Cancers of Mouth and Oropharynx. In: Preedy, V., Patel, V. (eds) Biomarkers in Cancer. Biomarkers in Disease: Methods, Discoveries and Applications. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-7681-4_41

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