Liu J, Shao C, Tan ML, Mu D, Ferris RL, Ha PK. Molecular biology of adenoid cystic carcinoma.
Head Neck 2011;
34:1665-77. [PMID:
22006498 DOI:
10.1002/hed.21849]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/19/2011] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is an unusual salivary gland malignancy that remains poorly understood. Standard treatment, including surgery with postoperative radiation therapy, has attained reasonable local control rates, but the propensity for distant metastases has limited any improvement in survival over time. Our understanding of the molecular mechanisms driving ACC is quite rudimentary, due to the infrequent nature of its occurrence.
METHODS
An extensive literature review was performed on salivary gland ACCs and basic science research findings.
RESULTS
This review highlights many findings that are emerging about the carcinogenesis of ACC including cytogenetics, tumor suppressor genes, oncogenes, epigenetic alterations, mitochondrial alterations, and biomarker studies.
CONCLUSION
Although there have been many discoveries, much still remains unknown about this rare malignancy. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2011.
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