Cancers, Vol. 16, Pages 1354: Transcription Factors and Markers Related to Epithelial & ndash;Mesenchymal Transition and Their Role in Resistance to Therapies in Head and Neck Cancers

Cancers, Vol. 16, Pages 1354: Transcription Factors and Markers Related to Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition and Their Role in Resistance to Therapies in Head and Neck Cancers Cancers doi: 10.3390/cancers16071354 Authors: Marta Pawlicka Ewelina Gumbarewicz Ewa Błaszczak Andrzej Stepulak Head and neck cancers (HNCs) are heterogeneous and aggressive tumors of the upper aerodigestive tract. Although various histological types exist, the most common is squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The incidence of HNSCC is increasing, making it an important public health concern. Tumor resistance to contemporary treatments, namely, chemo- and radiotherapy, and the recurrence of the primary tumor after its surgical removal cause huge problems for patients. Despite recent improvements in these treatments, the 5-year survival rate is still relatively low. HNSCCs may develop local lymph node metastases and, in the most advanced cases, also distant metastases. A key process associated with tumor progression and metastasis is epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), when poorly motile epithelial tumor cells acquire motile mesenchymal characteristics. These transition cells can invade different adjacent tissues and finally form metastases. EMT is governed by various transcription factors, including the best-characterized TWIST1 and TWIST2, SNAIL, SLUG, ZEB1, and ZEB2. Here, we highlight the current knowledge of the process of EMT in HNSCC and present the main p...
Source: Cancers - Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Tags: Review Source Type: research