Chemoprevention of Head and Neck Cancer: A Review of Current Approaches and Future Perspectives
Year: 2024
Type: review
Abstract: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a spectrum of heterogeneous malignancies. A variety of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors contribute to the development of HNSCC. Carcinogenesis is a multistep process in which cell proliferation-associated oncogenes and cell-cycle regulation-associated tumor suppressor genes are dysregulated, resulting in premalignant lesions. Immune evasion is a critical step in the progression of benign lesions to advanced cancer. This review discusses the advances that have been made in chemoprevention strategies for HNSCC. The rationale for the use of chemopreventive agents to inhibit head and neck cancer development is highlighted by the positive outcomes of several clinical trials. We discuss the potential of some of the commonly studied agents including vitamin A analogs, EGFR inhibitors, COX-2 inhibitors, metabolic modulators, and natural compounds such as green tea, as well as immunotherapy and photodynamic therapy to prevent HNSCC. Our review provides insight into the potential benefits of these agents and the gaps that remain to be addressed. The published results reaffirm the promise of chemoprevention in head and neck cancer and suggest that continued exploration is needed to overcome the limitations. Because the current focus on chemopreventive agents is limited, major efforts in precision oncology approaches and substantial increase in funding will promote research into chemoprevention, which will eventually decrease the incidence of HNSCC.
Source: Cancer Prevention Research
Language: English
Topic: Head and Neck Cancer Studies
Subfield: Otorhinolaryngology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
Awards: Second Primary Tumor Prevention w/EGFR TKIs, COX-2 inhibitors Head & Neck Cancer, Mechanism of chemopreventive synergism from the combination of EGCG and Erlotinib, Personalized vaccine immunotherapy in combination with anti-PD 1 antibody for recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck
OpenAlex ID: W4400472535