Open AccessAdvancing theranostics with tumor‐targeting peptides for precision otolaryngology
Author(s) -
Wright Chadwick L.,
Pan Quintin,
Knopp Michael V.,
Tweedle Michael F.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
world journal of otorhinolaryngology ‐ head and neck surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2589-1081
pISSN - 2095-8811
DOI - 10.1016/j.wjorl.2016.05.006
Subject(s) - medicine , otorhinolaryngology , positron emission tomography , head and neck squamous cell carcinoma , magnetic resonance imaging , radiation therapy , radiology , medical imaging , head and neck cancer , surgical oncology , cancer , medical physics , surgery
Worldwide, about 600,000 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are detected annually, many of which involve high risk human papilloma virus (HPV). Surgery is the primary and desired first treatment option. Following surgery, the existence of cancer cells at the surgical margin is strongly associated with eventual recurrence of cancer and a poor outcome. Despite improved surgical methods (robotics, microsurgery, endoscopic/laparoscopic, and external imaging), surgeons rely only on their vision and touch to locate tumors during surgery. Diagnostic imaging systems like computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), single‐photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron‐emission tomography (PET) are too large, slow and costly to use efficiently during most surgeries and, ultrasound imaging, while fast and portable, is not cancer specific. This purpose of this article is to review the fundamental technologies that will radically advance Precision Otolaryngology practices to the benefit of patients with HNSCC. In particular, this article will address the potential for tumor‐targeting peptides to enable more precise diagnostic imaging while simultaneously advancing new therapeutic paradigms for next generation image‐guided surgery, tumor‐specific chemotherapeutic delivery and tumor‐selective targeted radiotherapy (i.e., theranostic).