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Wang Q, Yang W, Peng W, Qian X, Zhang M, Wang T. Integrative Analysis of DNA Methylation Data and Transcriptome Data Identified a DNA Methylation-Dysregulated Four-LncRNA Signature for Predicting Prognosis in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:666349. [PMID: 33869232 PMCID: PMC8047109 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.666349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence has demonstrated the crosstalk between DNA epigenetic alterations and aberrant expression of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) during carcinogenesis. However, epigenetically dysregulated lncRNAs and their functional and clinical roles in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) are still not explored. In this study, we performed an integrative analysis of DNA methylation data and transcriptome data and identified a DNA methylation-dysregulated four-lncRNA signature (DNAMeFourLncSig) from 596 DNA methylation-dysregulated lncRNAs using a machine-learning-based feature selection method, which classified the patients of the discovery cohort into two risk groups with significantly different survival including overall survival, disease-specific survival, and progression-free survival. Then the DNAMeFourLncSig was implemented to another two HNSCC patient cohorts and showed similar prognostic values in both. Results from multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed that the DNAMeFourLncSig might be an independent prognostic factor. Furthermore, the DNAMeFourLncSig was substantially correlated with the complete response rate of chemotherapy and may predict chemotherapy response. Functional in silico analysis found that DNAMeFourLncSig-related mRNAs were mainly enriched in cell differentiation, tissue development and immune-related pathways. Overall, our study will improve our understanding of underlying transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms in HNSCC carcinogenesis and provided a new potential biomarker for the prognosis of patients with HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuxu Wang
- Department of Stomatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Stomatology, The Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University, Dalian, China
| | - Weiwei Yang
- Department of Pathology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Wei Peng
- Department of Stomatology, The Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University, Dalian, China
| | - Xuemei Qian
- Department of Pathology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Minghui Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Chifeng City Hospital, Chifeng, China
| | - Tianzhen Wang
- Department of Pathology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
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Aggarwal N, Yadav J, Thakur K, Bibban R, Chhokar A, Tripathi T, Bhat A, Singh T, Jadli M, Singh U, Kashyap MK, Bharti AC. Human Papillomavirus Infection in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas: Transcriptional Triggers and Changed Disease Patterns. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020. [PMID: 33344262 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.537650,] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a heterogeneous group of cancers. Collectively, HNSCC ranks sixth in incidence rate worldwide. Apart from classical risk factors like tobacco and alcohol, infection of human papillomavirus (HPV) is emerging as a discrete risk factor for HNSCC. HPV-positive HNSCC represent a distinct group of diseases that differ in their clinical presentation. These lesions are well-differentiated, occur at an early age, and have better prognosis. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated a specific increase in the proportions of the HPV-positive HNSCC. HPV-positive and HPV-negative HNSCC lesions display different disease progression and clinical response. For tumorigenic-transformation, HPV essentially requires a permissive cellular environment and host cell factors for induction of viral transcription. As the spectrum of host factors is independent of HPV infection at the time of viral entry, presumably entry of HPV only selects host cells that are permissive to establishment of HPV infection. Growing evidence suggest that HPV plays a more active role in a subset of HNSCC, where they are transcriptionally-active. A variety of factors provide a favorable environment for HPV to become transcriptionally-active. The most notable are the set of transcription factors that have direct binding sites on the viral genome. As HPV does not have its own transcription machinery, it is fully dependent on host transcription factors to complete the life cycle. Here, we review and evaluate the current evidence on level of a subset of host transcription factors that influence viral genome, directly or indirectly, in HNSCC. Since many of these transcription factors can independently promote carcinogenesis, the composition of HPV permissive transcription factors in a tumor can serve as a surrogate marker of a separate molecularly-distinct class of HNSCC lesions including those cases, where HPV could not get a chance to infect but may manifest better prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikita Aggarwal
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Joni Yadav
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Kulbhushan Thakur
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Rakhi Bibban
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Arun Chhokar
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Tanya Tripathi
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Anjali Bhat
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Tejveer Singh
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Mohit Jadli
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Ujala Singh
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Manoj K Kashyap
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, India.,Amity Medical School, Stem Cell Institute, Amity University Haryana, Amity Education Valley Panchgaon, Gurugram, India
| | - Alok C Bharti
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
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Taghizadeh H, Mader RM, Müllauer L, Fuereder T, Kautzky-Willer A, Prager GW. Outcome of Targeted Therapy Recommendations for Metastatic and Recurrent Head and Neck Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12113381. [PMID: 33203166 PMCID: PMC7696688 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12113381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Recurrent/metastatic (R/M) head and neck cancers bear a poor prognosis. In this analysis, we examined the efficacy and the outcome of targeted therapy recommendations based on the patients' molecular tumor portrait after failure of all standard therapy options. In this single-center, real-world retrospective analysis of our platform for precision medicine, we analyzed the molecular profile of 50 patients diagnosed with R/M head and neck cancer. Tumor samples of the patients were examined using next-generation sequencing panels of mutation hotspots, microsatellite instability (MSI) testing, and immunohistochemistry (IHC). In 31 cases (62.0% of all patients), a molecular-driven targeted therapy approach was recommended. Eventually, 14 patients (28%) received the suggested targeted therapy. Six of fourteen patients (43%) achieved stable disease conditions and four patients (29%) experienced a progressive disease. The median time to treatment failure was 2.8 months. Therapy recommendations were significantly more often issued for men (p = 0.037) than for women. This analysis demonstrated that precision medicine provided the basis for molecular-driven therapy recommendations in over half of the patients with advanced therapy refractory head and neck cancers, with significantly more therapy recommendations for men. Our analysis showed that although precision medicine approaches are implementable and feasible for the management of recurrent/metastatic head and neck cancers in daily clinical routine, there are major limitations and challenges that have to be overcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossein Taghizadeh
- Department of Medicine I, Clinical Division of Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (H.T.); (R.M.M.); (T.F.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Robert M. Mader
- Department of Medicine I, Clinical Division of Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (H.T.); (R.M.M.); (T.F.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Leonhard Müllauer
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria;
- Clinical Institute of Pathology, Medical University Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Thorsten Fuereder
- Department of Medicine I, Clinical Division of Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (H.T.); (R.M.M.); (T.F.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Alexandra Kautzky-Willer
- Department of Medicine III, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria;
- Department of Medicine III, Gender Medicine Unit, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Gerald W. Prager
- Department of Medicine I, Clinical Division of Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (H.T.); (R.M.M.); (T.F.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +43-1-40400-44500
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4
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Bommireddy R, Munoz LE, Kumari A, Huang L, Fan Y, Monterroza L, Pack CD, Ramachandiran S, Reddy SJ, Kim J, Chen ZG, Saba NF, Shin DM, Selvaraj P. Tumor Membrane Vesicle Vaccine Augments the Efficacy of Anti-PD1 Antibody in Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Resistant Squamous Cell Carcinoma Models of Head and Neck Cancer. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8020182. [PMID: 32295135 PMCID: PMC7348725 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8020182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2020] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) immunotherapy improved the survival of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients. However, more than 80% of the patients are still resistant to this therapy. To test whether the efficacy of ICI therapy can be improved by vaccine-induced immunity, we investigated the efficacy of a tumor membrane-based vaccine immunotherapy in murine models of HNSCC. The tumors, grown subcutaneously, are used to prepare tumor membrane vesicles (TMVs). TMVs are then incorporated with glycolipid-anchored immunostimulatory molecules GPI-B7-1 and GPI-IL-12 by protein transfer to generate the TMV vaccine. This TMV vaccine inhibited tumor growth and improved the survival of mice challenged with SCCVII tumor cells. The tumor-free mice survived for several months, remained tumor-free, and were protected following a secondary tumor cell challenge, suggesting that the TMV vaccine induced an anti-tumor immune memory response. However, no synergy with anti-PD1 mAb was observed in this model. In contrast, the TMV vaccine was effective in inhibiting MOC1 and MOC2 murine oral cancer models and synergized with anti-PD1 mAb in extending the survival of tumor-bearing mice. These observations suggest that tumor tissue based TMV vaccines can be harnessed to develop an effective personalized immunotherapy for HNSCC that can enhance the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramireddy Bommireddy
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (R.B.); (L.E.M.); (A.K.); (L.H.); (Y.F.); (L.M.); (J.K.)
| | - Luis E. Munoz
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (R.B.); (L.E.M.); (A.K.); (L.H.); (Y.F.); (L.M.); (J.K.)
| | - Anita Kumari
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (R.B.); (L.E.M.); (A.K.); (L.H.); (Y.F.); (L.M.); (J.K.)
| | - Lei Huang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (R.B.); (L.E.M.); (A.K.); (L.H.); (Y.F.); (L.M.); (J.K.)
| | - Yijian Fan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (R.B.); (L.E.M.); (A.K.); (L.H.); (Y.F.); (L.M.); (J.K.)
| | - Lenore Monterroza
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (R.B.); (L.E.M.); (A.K.); (L.H.); (Y.F.); (L.M.); (J.K.)
| | - Christopher D. Pack
- Metaclipse Therapeutics Corporation, Atlanta, GA 30340, USA; (C.D.P.); (S.R.); (S.J.C.R.)
| | - Sampath Ramachandiran
- Metaclipse Therapeutics Corporation, Atlanta, GA 30340, USA; (C.D.P.); (S.R.); (S.J.C.R.)
| | - Shaker J.C. Reddy
- Metaclipse Therapeutics Corporation, Atlanta, GA 30340, USA; (C.D.P.); (S.R.); (S.J.C.R.)
| | - Janet Kim
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (R.B.); (L.E.M.); (A.K.); (L.H.); (Y.F.); (L.M.); (J.K.)
| | - Zhuo G. Chen
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (Z.G.C.); (N.F.S.)
| | - Nabil F. Saba
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (Z.G.C.); (N.F.S.)
| | - Dong M. Shin
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (Z.G.C.); (N.F.S.)
- Correspondence: (D.M.S.); (P.S.); Tel.: +404-778-5990 (D.M.S.); +404-727-5929 (P.S.); Fax: +404-727-5764 (P.S.)
| | - Periasamy Selvaraj
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (R.B.); (L.E.M.); (A.K.); (L.H.); (Y.F.); (L.M.); (J.K.)
- Correspondence: (D.M.S.); (P.S.); Tel.: +404-778-5990 (D.M.S.); +404-727-5929 (P.S.); Fax: +404-727-5764 (P.S.)
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5
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Aggarwal N, Yadav J, Thakur K, Bibban R, Chhokar A, Tripathi T, Bhat A, Singh T, Jadli M, Singh U, Kashyap MK, Bharti AC. Human Papillomavirus Infection in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas: Transcriptional Triggers and Changed Disease Patterns. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:537650. [PMID: 33344262 PMCID: PMC7738612 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.537650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a heterogeneous group of cancers. Collectively, HNSCC ranks sixth in incidence rate worldwide. Apart from classical risk factors like tobacco and alcohol, infection of human papillomavirus (HPV) is emerging as a discrete risk factor for HNSCC. HPV-positive HNSCC represent a distinct group of diseases that differ in their clinical presentation. These lesions are well-differentiated, occur at an early age, and have better prognosis. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated a specific increase in the proportions of the HPV-positive HNSCC. HPV-positive and HPV-negative HNSCC lesions display different disease progression and clinical response. For tumorigenic-transformation, HPV essentially requires a permissive cellular environment and host cell factors for induction of viral transcription. As the spectrum of host factors is independent of HPV infection at the time of viral entry, presumably entry of HPV only selects host cells that are permissive to establishment of HPV infection. Growing evidence suggest that HPV plays a more active role in a subset of HNSCC, where they are transcriptionally-active. A variety of factors provide a favorable environment for HPV to become transcriptionally-active. The most notable are the set of transcription factors that have direct binding sites on the viral genome. As HPV does not have its own transcription machinery, it is fully dependent on host transcription factors to complete the life cycle. Here, we review and evaluate the current evidence on level of a subset of host transcription factors that influence viral genome, directly or indirectly, in HNSCC. Since many of these transcription factors can independently promote carcinogenesis, the composition of HPV permissive transcription factors in a tumor can serve as a surrogate marker of a separate molecularly-distinct class of HNSCC lesions including those cases, where HPV could not get a chance to infect but may manifest better prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikita Aggarwal
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Joni Yadav
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Kulbhushan Thakur
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Rakhi Bibban
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Arun Chhokar
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Tanya Tripathi
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Anjali Bhat
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Tejveer Singh
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Mohit Jadli
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Ujala Singh
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Manoj K. Kashyap
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
- Amity Medical School, Stem Cell Institute, Amity University Haryana, Amity Education Valley Panchgaon, Gurugram, India
| | - Alok C. Bharti
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
- *Correspondence: Alok C. Bharti,
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Haave H, Gulati S, Brekke J, Lybak S, Vintermyr OK, Aarstad HJ. Tumor stromal desmoplasia and inflammatory response uniquely predict survival with and without stratification for HPV tumor infection in OPSCC patients. Acta Otolaryngol 2018; 138:1035-1042. [PMID: 30734620 DOI: 10.1080/00016489.2018.1497809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) positive for human papillomavirus (HPV) increases wolrd wide. AIMS/OBJECTIVES The objective for this study has been to evaluate tumor phenotypes and tumor host responses with respect to five-year disease-specific survival (DSS) in HPV(+) and HPV(-) patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS Two hundred patients with OPSCC have been treated between 1992 and 2010. Histopathology slides from these patients have been morphologically evaluated in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE). From HE-stained sections tumor phenotype (keratinization, fraction of mature cancer cells and pattern of invasion) and tumor host responses (inflammation and stromal desmoplasia) were evaluated with respect to five years DSS. RESULTS High tumor inflammatory response and low stromal desmoplasia had an independent effect predicting better five-year DSS among all patients and when analyzed separately in the HPV(-) and HPV(+) cohort of patients using a Cox regression survival analysis that also included standard clinical prognostic variables among OPSCC patients. CONCLUSION Tumor host responses, inflammation and stromal desmoplasia may become part of routine work-up in OPSCC patients due to prognostic value. SIGNIFICANCE We present a method, accessible in most clinical locations and would give important additional information about prognosis in OPSCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilde Haave
- Department of ENT/Head and Neck Surgery, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Sahil Gulati
- Department of ENT/Head and Neck surgery, Haukeland Universitetssjukehus, Bergen, Norway
| | - Jorunn Brekke
- Department of Oncology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Stein Lybak
- Department of ENT/Head and Neck Surgery, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Olav K. Vintermyr
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Pathology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Hans Jørgen Aarstad
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Deptartment of ENT/Head and Neck Surgery, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
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7
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Liu C, Mann D, Sinha UK, Kokot NC. The molecular mechanisms of increased radiosensitivity of HPV-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC): an extensive review. J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2018; 47:59. [PMID: 30241572 PMCID: PMC6150985 DOI: 10.1186/s40463-018-0302-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2017] [Accepted: 08/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck carcinomas (HNCs) collectively are the sixth most common cancer with an annual incidence of about 400,000 cases in the US. The most well-established risk factors for HNCs are tobacco and alcohol abuse. With the increasing public awareness, the incidence of HNCs is decreasing. But there is an increasing incidence of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) has been observed during the last decade. This phenomena is associated with persistent infection with high-risk HPV. HPV associated OPSCC patients tend to be younger males of high socioeconomic status. The increasing incidence causes a significant loss to social resources, given that it's reported that HPV associated OPSCC represents about 60% of OPSCC cases. There is a growing amount of data supporting the hypothesis that HPV-associated OPSCC has a better survival rate due to a higher sensitivity to chemotherapy and radiotherapy as compared to HPV-unrelated OPSCC. Although the HPV positivity is associated with increased radio-sensitivity, the underlying mechanisms are not yet fully understood. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the effects of HPV infection and its carcinogenesis on the radiosensitivity of OPSCC, from the molecular to histologic level, providing a comprehensive insight of this special tumor entity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changxing Liu
- USC Tina and Rick Caruso Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Keck Medicine of USC, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033 USA
| | - Daljit Mann
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033 USA
| | - Uttam K. Sinha
- USC Tina and Rick Caruso Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Keck Medicine of USC, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033 USA
| | - Niels C. Kokot
- USC Tina and Rick Caruso Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Keck Medicine of USC, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033 USA
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Wood O, Clarke J, Woo J, Mirza AH, Woelk CH, Thomas GJ, Vijayanand P, King E, Ottensmeier CH. Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas Are Characterized by a Stable Immune Signature Within the Primary Tumor Over Time and Space. Clin Cancer Res 2017; 23:7641-7649. [PMID: 28951517 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-17-0373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2017] [Revised: 07/07/2017] [Accepted: 09/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: Genetic and morphologic heterogeneity is well-documented in solid cancers. Immune cells are also variably distributed within the tumor; this heterogeneity is difficult to assess in small biopsies, and may confound our understanding of the determinants of successful immunotherapy. We examined the transcriptomic variability of the immunologic signature in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) within individual tumors using transcriptomic and IHC assessments.Experimental Design: Forty-four tumor biopsies from 16 HNSCC patients, taken at diagnosis and later at resection, were analyzed using RNA-sequencing. Variance filtering was used to identify the top 4,000 most variable genes. Principal component analysis, hierarchical clustering, and correlation analysis were performed. Gene expression of CD8A was correlated to IHC analysis.Results: Analysis of immunologic gene expression was highly consistent in replicates from the same cancer. Across the cohort, samples from the same patient were most similar to each other, both spatially (at diagnosis) and, notably, over time (diagnostic biopsy compared with resection); comparison of global gene expression by hierarchical clustering (P ≤ 0.0001) and correlation analysis [median intrapatient r = 0.82; median interpatient r = 0.63]. CD8A gene transcript counts were highly correlated with CD8 T-cell counts by IHC (r = 0.82).Conclusions: Our data demonstrate that in HNSCC the global tumor and adaptive immune signatures are stable between discrete parts of the same tumor and also at different timepoints. This suggests that immunologic heterogeneity may not be a key reason for failure of immunotherapy and underpins the use of transcriptomics for immunologic evaluation of novel agents in HNSCC patients. Clin Cancer Res; 23(24); 7641-9. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Wood
- Cancer Sciences & NIHR and CRUK Experimental Cancer Sciences Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - James Clarke
- Cancer Sciences & NIHR and CRUK Experimental Cancer Sciences Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Jeongmin Woo
- Clinical & Experimental Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Adal H Mirza
- Cancer Sciences & NIHR and CRUK Experimental Cancer Sciences Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
- Department of Otolaryngology, Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Poole, Dorset, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher H Woelk
- Clinical & Experimental Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Gareth J Thomas
- Cancer Sciences & NIHR and CRUK Experimental Cancer Sciences Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Pandurangan Vijayanand
- Clinical & Experimental Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
- La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, California
| | - Emma King
- Cancer Sciences & NIHR and CRUK Experimental Cancer Sciences Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
- Department of Otolaryngology, Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Poole, Dorset, United Kingdom
| | - Christian H Ottensmeier
- Cancer Sciences & NIHR and CRUK Experimental Cancer Sciences Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom.
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9
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Krishnan AR, Zheng H, Kwok JG, Qu Y, Zou AE, Korrapati A, Li PX, Califano JA, Hovell MF, Wang-Rodriguez J, Ongkeko WM. A comprehensive study of smoking-specific microRNA alterations in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Oral Oncol 2017; 72:56-64. [PMID: 28797462 DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2017.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2017] [Revised: 05/16/2017] [Accepted: 07/07/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE While tobacco smoking is a well-known risk factor for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), the molecular mechanisms underlying tobacco-induced HNSCC remain unclear. This study sought to comprehensively identify microRNA (miRNA) alterations and evaluate their clinical relevance in smoking-induced HNSCC pathogenesis and progression. MATERIALS AND METHODS Using small RNA-sequencing data and clinical data from 145 HNSCC patients, we performed a series of differential expression and correlation analyses to identify a panel of tobacco-dysregulated miRNAs associated with key clinical characteristics in HNSCC. We then examined the expression patterns of these miRNAs in normal epithelial cell lines following exposure to cigarette smoke extract. RESULTS Our analyses revealed distinct panels of miRNAs to be dysregulated with smoking status and associated with additional clinical features, including tumor stage, metastasis, anatomic site, and patient survival. The differential expression of key miRNAs, including miR-101, miR-181b, miR-486, and miR-1301, was verified in cigarette-treated epithelial cell lines, suggesting their potential roles in the early development of smoking-related HNSCCs. CONCLUSION Specific alterations in miRNA expression may be traced to tobacco use and are associated with important HNSCC clinical characteristics. Future studies of these miRNAs may be valuable for furthering the understanding and targeted treatment of smoking-associated HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aswini R Krishnan
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.
| | - Hao Zheng
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.
| | - James G Kwok
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.
| | - Yuanhao Qu
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.
| | - Angela E Zou
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.
| | - Avinaash Korrapati
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.
| | - Pin Xue Li
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.
| | - Joseph A Califano
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.
| | - Melbourne F Hovell
- Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, United States.
| | - Jessica Wang-Rodriguez
- Veterans Administration Medical Center and Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.
| | - Weg M Ongkeko
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.
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10
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Adeola HA, Soyele OO, Adefuye AO, Jimoh SA, Butali A. Omics-based molecular techniques in oral pathology centred cancer: prospect and challenges in Africa. Cancer Cell Int 2017; 17:61. [PMID: 28592923 PMCID: PMC5460491 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-017-0432-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2017] [Accepted: 05/29/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The completion of the human genome project and the accomplished milestones in the human proteome project; as well as the progress made so far in computational bioinformatics and "big data" processing have contributed immensely to individualized/personalized medicine in the developed world. MAIN BODY At the dawn of precision medicine, various omics-based therapies and bioengineering can now be applied accurately for the diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and risk stratification of cancer in a manner that was hitherto not thought possible. The widespread introduction of genomics and other omics-based approaches into the postgraduate training curriculum of diverse medical and dental specialties, including pathology has improved the proficiency of practitioners in the use of novel molecular signatures in patient management. In addition, intricate details about disease disparity among different human populations are beginning to emerge. This would facilitate the use of tailor-made novel theranostic methods based on emerging molecular evidences. CONCLUSION In this review, we examined the challenges and prospects of using currently available omics-based technologies vis-à-vis oral pathology as well as prompt cancer diagnosis and treatment in a resource limited setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry A. Adeola
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of the Western Cape and Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Cape Town, South Africa
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences and Groote Schuur Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Olujide O. Soyele
- Department of Oral Maxillo-facial Surgery and Oral Pathology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
| | - Anthonio O. Adefuye
- Division of Health Sciences Education, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Sikiru A. Jimoh
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha, Eastern Cape South Africa
| | - Azeez Butali
- Department of Oral Pathology, Radiology and Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA USA
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11
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Seifert M, Friedrich B, Beyer A. Importance of rare gene copy number alterations for personalized tumor characterization and survival analysis. Genome Biol 2016; 17:204. [PMID: 27716417 PMCID: PMC5046221 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-016-1058-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2016] [Accepted: 09/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
It has proven exceedingly difficult to ascertain rare copy number alterations (CNAs) that may have strong effects in individual tumors. We show that a regulatory network inferred from gene expression and gene copy number data of 768 human cancer cell lines can be used to quantify the impact of patient-specific CNAs on survival signature genes. A focused analysis of tumors from six tissues reveals that rare patient-specific gene CNAs often have stronger effects on signature genes than frequent gene CNAs. Further comparison to a related network-based approach shows that the integration of indirectly acting gene CNAs significantly improves the survival analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Seifert
- Carl Gustav Carus Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Institute for Medical Informatics and Biometry, Fetscherstr. 74, Dresden, 01307, Germany. .,National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Dresden, Germany. .,Cellular Networks and Systems Biology, CECAD, University of Cologne, Joseph-Stelzmann-Str. 26, Cologne, 50931, Germany.
| | - Betty Friedrich
- Institute of Molecular Systems Biology, Auguste-Piccard-Hof 1, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Beyer
- Cellular Networks and Systems Biology, CECAD, University of Cologne, Joseph-Stelzmann-Str. 26, Cologne, 50931, Germany
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12
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Singchat W, Hitakomate E, Rerkarmnuaychoke B, Suntronpong A, Fu B, Bodhisuwan W, Peyachoknagul S, Yang F, Koontongkaew S, Srikulnath K. Genomic Alteration in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) Cell Lines Inferred from Karyotyping, Molecular Cytogenetics, and Array Comparative Genomic Hybridization. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0160901. [PMID: 27501229 PMCID: PMC4976893 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0160901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2016] [Accepted: 07/26/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Genomic alteration in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) was studied in two cell line pairs (HN30-HN31 and HN4-HN12) using conventional C-banding, multiplex fluorescence in situ hybridization (M-FISH), and array comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH). HN30 and HN4 were derived from primary lesions in the pharynx and base of tongue, respectively, and HN31 and HN12 were derived from lymph-node metastatic lesions belonging to the same patients. Gain of chromosome 1, 7, and 11 were shared in almost all cell lines. Hierarchical clustering revealed that HN31 was closely related to HN4, which shared eight chromosome alteration cases. Large C-positive heterochromatins were found in the centromeric region of chromosome 9 in HN31 and HN4, which suggests complex structural amplification of the repetitive sequence. Array CGH revealed amplification of 7p22.3p11.2, 8q11.23q12.1, and 14q32.33 in all cell lines involved with tumorigenesis and inflammation genes. The amplification of 2p21 (SIX3), 11p15.5 (H19), and 11q21q22.3 (MAML2, PGR, TRPC6, and MMP family) regions, and deletion of 9p23 (PTPRD) and 16q23.1 (WWOX) regions were identified in HN31 and HN12. Interestingly, partial loss of PTPRD (9p23) and WWOX (16q23.1) genes was identified in HN31 and HN12, and the level of gene expression tended to be the down-regulation of PTPRD, with no detectable expression of the WWOX gene. This suggests that the scarcity of PTPRD and WWOX genes might have played an important role in progression of HNSCC, and could be considered as a target for cancer therapy or a biomarker in molecular pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Worapong Singchat
- Laboratory of Animal Cytogenetics and Comparative Genomics, Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, 50 Ngamwongwan, Chatuchak, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand
| | - Ekarat Hitakomate
- Faculty of Dentistry, Thammasart University, Pathum Thani, 12121, Thailand
| | - Budsaba Rerkarmnuaychoke
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Aorarat Suntronpong
- Laboratory of Animal Cytogenetics and Comparative Genomics, Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, 50 Ngamwongwan, Chatuchak, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand
| | - Beiyuan Fu
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, United Kingdom
| | - Winai Bodhisuwan
- Department of Statistics, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, 50 Ngamwongwan, Chatuchak, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand
| | - Surin Peyachoknagul
- Laboratory of Animal Cytogenetics and Comparative Genomics, Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, 50 Ngamwongwan, Chatuchak, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand.,Center of Advanced Studies in Tropical Natural Resources, National Research University-Kasetsart University, Kasetsart University, Thailand (CASTNAR, NRU-KU, Thailand)
| | - Fengtang Yang
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, United Kingdom
| | | | - Kornsorn Srikulnath
- Laboratory of Animal Cytogenetics and Comparative Genomics, Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, 50 Ngamwongwan, Chatuchak, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand.,Center of Advanced Studies in Tropical Natural Resources, National Research University-Kasetsart University, Kasetsart University, Thailand (CASTNAR, NRU-KU, Thailand)
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13
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The rationale for HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer de-escalation treatment strategies. Contemp Oncol (Pozn) 2015; 19:313-22. [PMID: 26557780 PMCID: PMC4631307 DOI: 10.5114/wo.2015.54389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2014] [Revised: 01/08/2015] [Accepted: 03/09/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The treatment paradigms for head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) are changing due to the emergence of human papillomavirus-associated tumors (HPV-related), possessing distinct molecular profiles and responses to therapy. Retrospective studies have suggested that HPV-related HNSCCs are more frequently cured than those caused by tobacco. Current clinical trials focus on the reduction of treatment-related toxicity and the development of HPV-targeted therapies. New treatment strategies include: 1) dose reduction of radiotherapy, 2) the use of cetuximab instead of cisplatin for chemo-radiation 3) less invasive surgical options, i.e. trans-oral robotic surgery and trans-oral laser microlaryngoscopy, and 4) more specific treatment attempts, including immunotherapeutic strategies, thanks to increasing comprehension of the molecular background of HPV-related HNSCC. Whereas recently published data shed light on immune mechanisms, other studies have focused on specific vaccination against HPV-related HNSCC. A crucial problem is patient selection to the chosen bias. Truly HPV-related cancers (p16-positive and HPV DNA-positive) with biomarkers for good response to therapy could be included in randomized trials aiming for less severe and better tailored therapy.
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14
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Whang SN, Filippova M, Duerksen-Hughes P. Recent Progress in Therapeutic Treatments and Screening Strategies for the Prevention and Treatment of HPV-Associated Head and Neck Cancer. Viruses 2015; 7:5040-65. [PMID: 26393639 PMCID: PMC4584304 DOI: 10.3390/v7092860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2015] [Revised: 08/17/2015] [Accepted: 08/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The rise in human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has elicited significant interest in the role of high-risk HPV in tumorigenesis. Because patients with HPV-positive HNSCC have better prognoses than do their HPV-negative counterparts, current therapeutic strategies for HPV+ HNSCC are increasingly considered to be overly aggressive, highlighting a need for customized treatment guidelines for this cohort. Additional issues include the unmet need for a reliable screening strategy for HNSCC, as well as the ongoing assessment of the efficacy of prophylactic vaccines for the prevention of HPV infections in the head and neck regions. This review also outlines a number of emerging prospects for therapeutic vaccines, as well as for targeted, molecular-based therapies for HPV-associated head and neck cancers. Overall, the future for developing novel and effective therapeutic agents for HPV-associated head and neck tumors is promising; continued progress is critical in order to meet the challenges posed by the growing epidemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia N Whang
- Department of Basic Science, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA.
| | - Maria Filippova
- Department of Basic Science, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA.
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15
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Thariat J, Vignot S, Lapierre A, Falk AT, Guigay J, Van Obberghen-Schilling E, Milano G. Integrating genomics in head and neck cancer treatment: Promises and pitfalls. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2015; 95:397-406. [PMID: 25979769 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2015.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2014] [Revised: 02/20/2015] [Accepted: 03/26/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) represent a multifactorial disease of poor prognosis. They have lagged behind other cancers in terms of personalized therapy. With expansion and high throughput sequencing methods, recent landmark exonic studies and Cancer Genome Atlas data have identified genes relevant to carcinogenesis and cancer progression. Mutational profiles and rates vary widely depending on exposure to carcinogens, anatomic subsites and human papilloma virus (HPV) infection. Tumors may exhibit specific, tissue-specific, not exclusively HPV-related, gene alterations, such those observed in oral cavity cancers in Asia or Occident. Except for the PI3K pathway, the rate of mutations in HPV+ cancers is much lower than in tobacco/alcohol-related cancers. Somatic driver mutation analyses show that relatively few driver genes are druggable in HNSCC and that tumor suppressor gene alterations prevail. More mature for therapeutic applications is the oncogenic PI3K pathway, with preclinical human xenograft models suggesting that PI3KCA pathway mutations may be used as predictive biomarkers and clinical data showing efficacy of mTOR/Akt inhibitors. Therapeutic guidance, to date, relies on classical histoprognostic factors, anatomic subsite and HPV status, with integration of hierarchized supervised mutational profiling to provide additional therapeutic options in advanced HNSCC in a near future. Unsupervised controlled genomic analyses remain necessary to unravel potentially relevant genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliette Thariat
- Oncopharmacology Unit EA 3836, Centre A. Lacassagne, 33 Av de Valombrose, 06189 Nice, France; Department of Radiation Oncology, Centre A. Lacassagne, 33 Av de Valombrose, 06189 Nice, France.
| | - Stéphane Vignot
- Department of Oncology and Hematology-Hôpitaux de Chartres, 6 rue Claude Bernard, 28630 Chartres Le Coudray, France
| | - Ariane Lapierre
- Service d'Oncologie Radiothérapie, Centre Hospitalier Lyon Sud, Hospices Civils de Lyon Université Claude Bernard, Lyon 69008, France
| | - Alexander T Falk
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Centre A. Lacassagne, 33 Av de Valombrose, 06189 Nice, France
| | - Joel Guigay
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centre A. Lacassagne, 33 Av de Valombrose, 06189 Nice, France
| | | | - Gerard Milano
- Oncopharmacology Unit EA 3836, Centre A. Lacassagne, 33 Av de Valombrose, 06189 Nice, France
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