Chromosomal aberrations in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma do not vary based on severity of tobacco/alcohol exposure

Oral and Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: prognostic and predictive parameters in the etiopathogenetic route

INTRODUCTION

Oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC and OPSCC) represents an increasing problem in the global public health. Indeed, squamous cell carcinoma is the most frequent malignancy in oral cavity and 1 of the 10 most common cancers worldwide. According to the most recent GLOBOCAN estimate in Europe between 2012 and 2015, there was an overall increasing incidence and mortality for oral cancer, mostly HPV-related in the oropharyngeal region with evidence of significant differences from the prognostic and therapeutic point of view. Areas covered: Until now, the management of the patients is based on classical histologic parameters such as TNM and tumor grading, but new molecular and cell markers have been investigated to improve patients' treatment and survival. Therefore, there is a need for new biomarkers characterizing the cancer diversity, with the consequent possibility of patient stratification for specific treatment. Expert commentary: This review aims to discuss some of the most relevant and novel genetic, epigenetic, and histological prognostic biomarkers in oral cancer, highlighting the main differences between HPV-unrelated oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and HPV-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) that may aid in stratifying prognostic subgroups and rationalizing treatment decisions.

Genomic alterations in breast cancer patients in betel quid and non betel quid chewers

Betel Quid (BQ) chewing independently contributes to oral, hepatic and esophageal carcinomas. Strong association of breast cancer risk with BQ chewing in Northeast Indian population has been reported where this habit is prodigal. We investigated genomic alterations in breast cancer patients with and without BQ chewing exposure. Twenty six BQ chewers (BQC) and 17 non BQ chewer (NBQC) breast cancer patients from Northeast India were analyzed for genomic alterations and pathway networks using SNP array and IPA. BQC tumors showed significantly (P<0.01) higher total number of alterations, as compared with NBQC tumors, 48±17% versus 32±25 respectively. Incidence of gain in fragile sites in BQC tumors were significantly (P<0.001) higher as compared with NBQC tumors, 34 versus 23% respectively. Two chromosomal regions (7q33 and 21q22.13) were significantly (p<0.05) associated with BQC tumors while two regions (19p13.3–19p12 and 20q11.22) were significantly associated with NBQC tumors. GO terms oxidoreductase and aldo-keto reductase activity in BQC tumors in contrast to G-protein coupled receptor protein signaling pathway and cell surface receptor linked signal transduction in NBQC tumors were enriched in DAVID. One network “Drug Metabolism, Molecular Transport, Nucleic Acid Metabolism” including genes AKR1B1, AKR1B10, ETS2 etc in BQC and two networks “Molecular Transport, Nucleic Acid Metabolism, Small Molecule Biochemistry” and “Cellular Development, Embryonic Development, Organismal Development” including genes RPN2, EMR3, VAV1, NNAT and MUC16 etc were seen in NBQC. Common alterations (>30%) were seen in 27 regions. Three networks were significant in common regions with key roles of PTK2, RPN2, EMR3, VAV1, NNAT, MUC16, MYC and YWHAZ genes. These data show that breast cancer arising by environmental carcinogens exemplifies genetic alterations differing from those observed in the non exposed ones. A number of genetic changes are shared in both tumor groups considered as crucial in breast cancer progression.

Genomic profiling of sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Sinonasal squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) are rare tumors with no etiologic link to tobacco and alcohol, as opposed to other SCCs of the head and neck (HNSCC). Little is known about the genetic changes in sinonasal SCC.

METHODS

DNA copy number changes of sinonasal SCC were analyzed by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) and microarray comparative genomic hybridization (maCGH), and results were related to clinicopathologic features.

RESULTS

Copy number losses most frequently included genes at 9p21, 13q14, 17p13, 17q21, and 18q11. Frequent gains were observed on 8q24, 11q13, 17q12, 19p13, and 20q11-q13.

CONCLUSION

The genomic profile of sinonasal SCC showed a number of chromosomal regions with copy number changes similar to those known in HNSCC, in spite of the differences in etiology.

SCCRO promotes glioma formation and malignant progression in mice

Originally identified as an oncogene activated by amplification in squamous cell carcinomas, several lines of evidence now suggest that squamous cell carcinoma-related oncogene (SCCRO; aka DCUN1D1) may play a role in the pathogenesis of a wide range of human cancers including gliomas. SCCRO's oncogenic function is substantiated by its ectopic expression, resulting in transformation of cells in culture and xenograft formation in nude mice. The aim of this study was to assess the in vivo oncogenicity of SCCRO in a murine model. Ubiquitous expression of SCCRO resulted in early embryonic lethality. Because SCCRO overexpression was detected in human gliomas, its in vivo oncogenic activity was assessed in an established murine glioma model. Conditional expression of SCCRO using a replication-competent ASLV long terminal repeat with splice acceptor/nestin-(tumor virus-A) tv-a model system was not sufficient to induce tumor formation in a wild-type genetic background, but tumors formed with increasing frequency and decreasing latency in facilitated background containing Ink4a deletion alone or in combination with PTEN loss. Ectopic expression of SCCRO in glial progenitor cells resulted in lower-grade gliomas in Ink4a(-/-) mice, whereas its expression in Ink4a(-/-)/PTEN(-/-) background produced high-grade glioblastoma-like lesions that were indistinguishable from human tumors. Expression of SCCRO with platelet-derived growth factor-beta (PDGF-beta) resulted in an increased proportion of mice forming glioblastoma-like tumors compared with those induced by PDGF-beta alone. This work substantiates SCCRO's function as an oncogene by showing its ability to facilitate malignant transformation and carcinogenic progression in vivo and supports a role for SCCRO in the pathogenesis of gliomas and other human cancers.

Molecular pathogenesis of head and neck cancers

Head and neck cancers represent a progressive genetic malady, with genetic aberrations accumulating in response to carcinogen exposure. Although individual genomic aberrations develop at specific time points in the progression axis, the precise role of these abnormalities in tumor progression and cancer behavior remain to be elucidated. This article will give an overview of the current knowledge on the molecular basis for the development of head and neck cancers.

Non-smoking and non-drinking patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: a distinct population

OBJECTIVE

To recognize specific clinicopathological characteristics of non-smoking and non-drinking (NSND) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients. This can increase our knowledge regarding a potentially different carcinogenesis in these patients.

STUDY DESIGN/METHODS

Retrospective analysis of data for 195 NSND patients with HNSCC and comparison with data for patients with HNSCC obtained from the Netherlands Cancer Registry.

RESULTS

Compared with all HNSCC patients in the Netherlands, our NSND patients with HNSCC were typically female (n = 142; 73%vs 26%), old at disease presentation (mean 73 years vs 64 years), and had tumors mainly of the oral cavity (n = 130; 66%vs 25%). Most tumors were stage I (n = 67; 34%) and stage IVA (n = 59; 30%). The incidence of second primary tumors (SPTs) was high (n = 32; 16%), mainly occurring in the oral cavity (n = 26; 13%).

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION

Our study confirms that NSND HNSCC patients have different clinicopathological characteristics from those of the overall HNSCC population; however, the frequency of SPTs is as high in NSND patients as in patients who smoke and drink alcohol. More research, and particularly molecular data are needed to obtain a better understanding of head and neck cancer in NSND patients.

Chromosomal aberrations in squamous cell carcinomas of the upper aerodigestive tract: biologic insights and clinical opportunities

Oncogenesis results from a progressive accumulation of genetic aberrations consequent to a complex interplay between carcinogenic factors and innate infidelity of DNA surveillance mechanisms. Although the development of genetic aberrations is random, those conferring survival advantages are selected for in a Darwinian manner, thus allowing continuous adaptation to selection pressures. Chromosomal aberrations are a prominent manifestation of genetic damage, which can be closely linked with tumor behavior and outcome as exemplified by curative treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia resulting from targeting the BCR-ABL translocation. In the case of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC), chromosomal changes are detectable at all stages of tumor development, providing excellent opportunities for genomic prognostication and therapy. Several studies have shown that the overall genomic profile of HNSCC is highly consistent, but individual tumors vary significantly in their complement of genetic alterations, thereby confounding clinical correlation. The application of modern genetic and bioinformatic analytic approaches has facilitated the identification of critical genomic changes in HNSCC, many of which have been linked to clinical outcome. These genetic aberrations represent excellent targets for novel therapeutics, but require validation. The initiation of phase III trials evaluating the therapeutic utility of genetic aberrations suggests a promising future for genome-based treatment of HNSCC.

Unraveling the chromosomal aberrations of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: a review

Information from the genetic analysis of head and neck cancer has grown enormously in the last 20 years. The advent of high-resolution genetic analysis techniques such as microarray technology will further expand this field in the future. Here we review the data on chromosomal aberrations of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, focusing on the data generated by comparative genomic hybridization analysis, and suggest how such findings will be taken forward over the next decade. With the search engine PUBMED, the key words "comparative genomic hybridisation," "head and neck," "oral," "hypopharyngeal," "laryngeal," and "squamous cell carcinoma" were used. Publications unavailable in English were excluded.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck in nonsmokers and nondrinkers: an analysis of clinicopathologic characteristics and treatment outcomes

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to describe the clinicopathologic manifestations of disease and outcomes of treatment among individuals without a history of smoking tobacco or consuming alcohol who develop head and neck cancer.

METHODS

Of 1648 invasive head and neck cancer cases treated between 1970 and 2001 at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, 40 patients were identified as never having smoked tobacco or consumed alcohol during their lifetime. These cases were reviewed to gather data on multiple clinicopathologic variables.

RESULTS

Mean age at presentation of nonsmoker/nondrinker head and neck cancer patients was 60 years (range, 27 to 90 years), and 78% (n = 31) of the patients were women. The distributions of tumor sites were 75.0% oral cavity (n = 30), 20.0% oropharynx (n = 8), and 5.0% larynx (n = 2). Sixteen patients (40%) experienced a recurrence of disease during the follow-up period, and 10 patients (25.0%) developed a second primary tumor a median of 6 years after their initial diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

The nonsmoker/nondrinker head and neck cancer patient tends to be elderly and female, have oral cavity primary tumors, and be predisposed to second primary tumor development.