Diversity of cancer stem cells in head and neck carcinomas: The role of HPV in cancer stem cell heterogeneity, plasticity and treatment response

Head and neck cancers represent approximately 3.8% of cancers globally where greater than 95% of these are squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) [1,2]. HNSCC has been typically associated with tobacco and alcohol use but the human papillomavirus (HPV) has emerged as a discrete aetiology, particularly in the oropharyngeal areas of the tonsils and base of the tongue. Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is recognised as a subset among HNSCC with a strong association to HPV oncogenesis where prevalence rates are as high as 80% [3].

Source: Radiotherapy and Oncology - March 5, 2019 Category: Radiology Authors: Paul Reid, Loredana G. Marcu, Ian Olver, Leyla Moghaddasi, Alexander H. Staudacher, Eva Bezak Tags: Review Article Source Type: research