Molecular changes in the multistage pathogenesis of head and neck cancer

Issue title: Translational Pathology of Early Cancer

Guest editors: Sudhir Srivastavax and William E. Grizzley

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Park, Brian J.^a | Chiosea, Simion I.^c | Grandis, Jennifer R.^{b; d; *}

Affiliations: [a] Department of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, MA, USA | [b] Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA | [c] Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA | [d] Department of Pharmacology, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA | [x] Cancer Biomarkers Research Group, Division of Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA | [y] Department of Pathology, Division of Anatomic Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Jennifer R. Grandis, M.D., 200, Lothrop Street, Eye and Ear Institute Building, Suite 500, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. E-mail: grandisjr@upmc.edu.

Abstract: Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (SCCHN) arise in the mucosa of the upper aerodigestive tract at multiple anatomic sites. While tobacco and alcohol exposure remain the primary risk factors for this malignancy, infection with the human papilloma virus is emerging as a major contributing factor to cancers that arise primarily in the oropharynx. Despite therapeutic advances, survival has remained relatively unchanged over the past few decades. Increased understand of the cellular and molecular biology of these cancers will improve our understanding of this malignancy and facilitate the development of more effective therapeutic strategies. Alterations that have been studied to date include genetic and epigenetic changes. While the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is the only established molecular therapeutic target, other proteins and pathways are under active investigation to determine their contribution to SCCHN carcinogenesis and progression.

Keywords: Head and neck cancer, molecular pathogenesis, squamous cell carcinoma, leukoplakia, premalignant, human papilloma virus

DOI: 10.3233/CBM-2011-0163

Journal: Cancer Biomarkers, vol. 9, no. 1-6, pp. 325-339, 2011