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Focus on the role of the CXCL12/CXCR4 chemokine axis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Author(s) -
Albert Sébastien,
Riveiro Maria Eugenia,
Halimi Caroline,
Hourseau Muriel,
Couvelard Anne,
Serova Maria,
Barry Béatrix,
Raymond Eric,
Faivre Sandrine
Publication year - 2013
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.23217
Subject(s) - cxcr4 , head and neck squamous cell carcinoma , chemokine , chemokine receptor , metastasis , cancer research , medicine , head and neck cancer , head and neck , epithelial–mesenchymal transition , oncology , ccr10 , cancer , receptor , surgery
The human chemokine system includes approximately 48 chemokines and 19 chemokine receptors. The CXCL12/CXCR4 system is one of the most frequently studied that is also found overexpressed in a large variety of tumors. The CXCL12/CXCR4 axis has been increasingly identified as an important target in cancer growth, metastasis, relapse, and resistance to therapy. In this review, we highlight current knowledge of the molecular mechanisms involving chemokines CXCL12/CXCR4 and their consequences in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Overexpression of CXCL12/CXCR4 in HNSCC appears to activate cellular functions, including motility, invasion, and metastatic processes. Current findings suggest that CXCR4 and epithelial–mesenchymal transition markers are associated with tumor aggressiveness and a poor prognosis, and may be suitable biomarkers for head and neck tumors with high metastatic potential. Furthermore, knowledge of the role of CXCR4 in HNSCC could influence the development of new targeted therapies for treatment, aimed at improving the prognosis of this disease. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 35: 1819–1828, 2013