The Role of Cancer Stem Cells in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Its Clinical Implications

Abstract

Worldwide, more than , new cases of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma HNSCC are estimated to occur annually, making it the sixth most common human malignancy. Since their discovery in , cancer stem cells CSCs in HNSCC have garnered increased interest secondary to their properties of tumorigenicity, differenti-ation, proliferation, and self-renewal. CSCs are intrinsically more resistant to tradi-tional treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy, contributing to potential metastasis and recurrence of HNSCC. This chapter focuses first on normal head and neck stem cells, providing background for the discussion of a number of topics pertaining to the study of HNSCC CSCs including molecular biomarkers and clinical implications. Continued research to elucidate the properties of CSCs will undoubt-edly expand our knowledge surrounding the pathogenesis, metastasis, and relapse of HNSCC. Ultimately, a better understanding of CSC biomarkers, signaling pathways, and mechanisms of resistance will improve therapies and patient outcomes through targeted interventions.

A Gold Nanoparticle Bioconjugate Delivery System for Active Targeted Photodynamic Therapy of Cancer and Cancer Stem Cells

“…Cancer stem cells are recognized and characterized by the following features, uncontrollable proliferation, self-renewal, massive differentiation, immune evasion, and treatment resistance. Cancer stem cells have been implicated in various cancers following treatment failure [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ].…”

Cancer Stem Cells in Head and Neck Carcinomas: Identification and Possible Therapeutic Implications

“…Despite ongoing advances in treatment regimes, the prognosis for HNSCCs has improved only marginally over the past 30 years, with the 5-year survival rate ranging from 10% -50% depending on a number of factors including the clinical stage of the tumor at the time of diagnosis (Karimnejad et al 2016;Yan et al 2013). Standard therapy for HNSCCs includes a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which is determined by the histological variety, grade and clinical staging of the tumor (Zhu et al 2015).…”

“…Standard therapy for HNSCCs includes a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which is determined by the histological variety, grade and clinical staging of the tumor (Zhu et al 2015). However, irrespective of the treatment regime, patients exhibit relatively high rates of local recurrence as well as regional cervical lymph node and distant tumor metastases, which contribute to significant morbidity and mortality (Karimnejad et al 2016;Zhu et al 2015). Recurrent tumor and metastatic deposits are frequently resistant to the original treatment modalities utilized (Karimnejad et al 2016;Zhu et al 2015).…”

The effect of ICRT‐3 on Wnt signaling pathway in head and neck cancer

“…Furthermore, it has been reported that the tumor recurs in the primer locus, and resistance to treatment occurs in 50% of patient treatments . Recent studies have shown that the factor decreasing the efficacy of all these treatments is the cancer stem cell, which has a progenitor‐like feature in the tumor mass and a subpopulation of cancer cells . Head and neck cancer stem cells (HNCSC) are in a niche localized around blood vessel.…”

“…11 Recent studies have shown that the factor decreasing the efficacy of all these treatments is the cancer stem cell, which has a progenitor-like feature in the tumor mass and a subpopulation of cancer cells. 12 Head and neck cancer stem cells (HNCSC) are in a niche localized around blood vessel. The cancer stem cell maintains its self-renewal and survival in the niche with secretion factors and nutrients and oxygen supplied by endothelial cell.…”