Genetics and Molecular Biology of Head and Neck Cancer

Advances in the role of GPX3 in ovarian cancer (Review)

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the 5th most common malignancy in women, and the leading cause of death from gynecologic malignancies. Owing to tumor heterogeneity, lack of reliable early diagnostic methods and high incidence of chemotherapy resistance, the 5‑year survival rate of patients with advanced OC remains low despite considerable advances in detection and therapeutic approaches. Therefore, identifying novel therapeutic targets to improve the prognosis of patients with OC is crucial. The expression of glutathione peroxidase 3 (GPX3) plays a crucial role in the growth, proliferation and differentiation of various malignant tumors. In OC, GPX3 is the only antioxidant enzyme the high expression of which is negatively correlated with the overall survival of patients. GPX3 may affect lipid metabolism in tumor stem cells by influencing redox homeostasis in the tumor microenvironment. The maintenance of stemness in OC stem cells (OCSCs) is strongly associated with poor prognosis and recurrence in patients. The aim of the present study was to review the role of GPX3 in OC and investigate the potential factors and effects of GPX3 on OCSCs. The findings of the current study offer novel potential targets for drug therapy in OC, enhance the theoretical foundation of OC drug therapy and provide valuable references for clinical treatment.

CERCAM is a prognostic biomarker associated with immune infiltration of macrophage M2 polarization in head and neck squamous carcinoma

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate the relevance of cerebral endothelial cell adhesion molecule (CERCAM) expression to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) prognosis and immune infiltration by macrophage M2 polarization.

METHODS

Timer, UALCAN and HPA databases was used to analyze the differences in mRNA and protein levels of CERCAM expression in HNSCC. The Timer database was also applied to analyze the correlation between CERCAM in HNSCC and immune infiltration. TCGA-HNSCC database was applied to analyze the correlation between CERCAM expression levels and clinicopathological features, and its diagnostic and prognostic value in HNSCC was also assessed. The cBioPortal and MethSurv databases were then applied to analyze the genetic variation and methylation status of CERCAM. In vitro cellular assays were performed to provide evidence that CERCAM promotes malignant biological behavior of tumors and promotes macrophage M2 polarization in tumors. Finally, underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of CERCAM involvement in the development of HNSCC were predicted using a bioinformatics approach.

RESULTS

CERCAM is significantly overexpressed in HNSCC and correlates with poor prognostic levels and has good performance in predicting survival status in HNSCC patients. Cox regression analysis indicates that CERCAM expression levels are independent risk factors for predicting OS, DSS, and PFI. CERCAM promotes tumor malignant biological behavior and promotes macrophage M2 polarization immune infiltration in HNSCC. In addition, CERCAM promotes tumor cell adhesion in head and neck squamous carcinoma and promotes tumor progression through several oncogenic signaling pathways.

CONCLUSION

CERCAM may serve as a new diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in HNSCC and is a promising therapeutic target for HNSCC.

Role of tissue markers associated with tumor microenvironment in the progression and immune suppression of oral squamous cell carcinoma

Head and neck cancers (HNC) continues to dominate major cancers contributing to  mortality worldwide. Squamous cell carcinoma is the major type of HNC. Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma grouped under HNC is a malignant tumor occurring in the oral cavity. The primary risk factors of OSCC are tobacco, alcohol consumption, etc. This review focuses on modulations, mechanisms, growth and differentiation of oral squamous cell carcinoma. Cancer cell surrounds itself with a group of elements forming a favorable environment known as tumor microenvironment (TME). It consists of numerous cells which includes immune cells, blood cells and acellular components that are responsible for the progression, immunosuppression, metastasis and angiogenesis of cancer. This review highlights the most important tissue biomarkers (mTOR, CAF, FOXp3, CD163, CD33, CD34) that are associated with TME cells. mTOR remains as the primary regulator responsible in cancer and its importance towards immune-suppression is highlighted. Tumor-associated macrophages associated with cancer development and its relationship with immunomodulatory mechanism and Tregs, which are potential blockers of immune response and its mechanism and aberrations are discussed. Cancer-associated fibroblasts that are a part of TME and their role in evading the immune response and myeloid derived suppressor cells that have slight control over the immune response and their mechanism in the tumor progression is further explained. These markers have been emphasised as therapeutic targets and are currently in different stages of clinical trials.