Chemoprevention of head and neck cancer

Abstract

728Increasing emphasis has been placed on chemoprevention as understanding of the genetic and molecular events of carcinogenesis has evolved. More than 1000 compounds that inhibit cancer development in vitro or in animal models have been identified, and active research is under way to determine which of these agents will be both effective and nontoxic in human beings. Currently, 13-cis-retinoic acid is the most studied chemopreventive agent against head and neck cancers. Unfortunately, this vitamin A derivative has significant clinical toxicity, which limits its utility in a practice setting. The efficacy of the retinoids, however, has stimulated efforts to find other chemopreventive compounds that are both effective and nontoxic. This review discusses head and neck premalignancy, chemoprevention strategies, retinoids, and several other classes of chemopreventive agents with potential efficacy against head and neck premalignancy.

HPV-related methylation signature predicts survival in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas

“…A common feature of the 5 methylation signature genes identified in our study is their involvement in tissue development and regeneration, and 4 of them, ALDH1A2, OSR2, GATA4, and IRX4, are related to retinoid metabolism and signaling (25,26,(68)(69)(70)(71)(72)(73)(74). Since retinoic acids exert potent effects on cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis, targeting one or a combination of the 4 genes and thereby modulating retinoid metabolism and signaling may offer novel avenues in successful treatment of OPSCC (75,76). Interestingly, a recent study demonstrated that a retinoic acid-rich tumor microenvironment is required for cytotoxic T cell accumulation accompanied by protective antitumor immunity (77), and it is worth mentioning that an improved clinical outcome of OPSCC patients has been shown to be associated with increased amounts of peripheral and tumor infiltrating T cells (78,79).…”

Pulsed‐Dye Laser and Retinoic Acid Delay Progression of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Murine Model

“…9 However, despite the success of retinoic acid, it was found that, once the drug was discontinued, the lesions had the potential to return. 9 Further, there are limiting toxicities of retinoic acid which make lifelong compliance difficult to ensure. 9 Dry skin, conjunctivitis, mucositis, and appetite loss are a few of the more significant toxicities.…”

“…9 Further, there are limiting toxicities of retinoic acid which make lifelong compliance difficult to ensure. 9 Dry skin, conjunctivitis, mucositis, and appetite loss are a few of the more significant toxicities. 1,4,5,9 Nevertheless, for head and neck cancers, retinoic acid remains the most studied and efficacious chemopreventive agent, and is currently the gold standard to which all other promising alternatives should be compared.…”

“…9 Dry skin, conjunctivitis, mucositis, and appetite loss are a few of the more significant toxicities. 1,4,5,9 Nevertheless, for head and neck cancers, retinoic acid remains the most studied and efficacious chemopreventive agent, and is currently the gold standard to which all other promising alternatives should be compared. 9 Researchers have attempted to overcome the problem of retinoid resistance and toxicity by using biomodulators such as ␣-tocopherol and interferon-␣.…”

“…1,4,5,9 Nevertheless, for head and neck cancers, retinoic acid remains the most studied and efficacious chemopreventive agent, and is currently the gold standard to which all other promising alternatives should be compared. 9 Researchers have attempted to overcome the problem of retinoid resistance and toxicity by using biomodulators such as ␣-tocopherol and interferon-␣. 10 It has been demonstrated that biochemoprevention, the combination of modulators of retinoid toxicity with retinoic acid, results in excellent control of some lesions.…”