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Altered metabolism in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: an opportunity for identification of novel biomarkers and drug targets
Author(s) -
Sandulache Vlad C.,
Myers Jeffrey N.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.21664
Subject(s) - head and neck squamous cell carcinoma , phenotype , carcinogenesis , cancer research , biology , disease , cell , bioinformatics , head and neck cancer , medicine , cancer , gene , genetics
Tumor cells were first shown to exhibit a distinct metabolic phenotype over 80 years ago. Since then, it has become clear that multiple oncogenic events contribute to the development of a metabolic phenotype that supports rapid proliferation. Because this phenotype represents an essential component of tumorigenesis and disease progression, it also represents a potential source of biomarkers associated with aggressive disease. In addition, the addiction of tumor cells to specific nutrients and the up‐regulation of key metabolic enzymes provide unique opportunities for pharmacologic manipulation. Despite the use of multimodality treatment, survival rates for patients with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remain low, partially attributed to the development of drug resistance. In this review, we evaluate the role of altered HNSCC metabolism as both a source of novel biomarkers and a means to bypass resistance mechanisms to conventional forms of therapy. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2012