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Comprehensive review of genetic factors contributing to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma development in low‐risk, nontraditional patients
Author(s) -
Gingerich Morgan A.,
Smith Joshua D.,
Michmerhuizen Nicole L.,
Ludwig Megan,
Devenport Samantha,
Matovina Chloe,
Brenner Chad,
Chinn Steven B.
Publication year - 2018
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.25057
Subject(s) - head and neck squamous cell carcinoma , carcinogenesis , fanconi anemia , incidence (geometry) , medicine , oncology , population , bioinformatics , head and neck cancer , dna repair , cancer , gene , biology , genetics , environmental health , physics , optics
Background The past 2 decades have seen an increased incidence of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in a nontraditional, low‐risk patient population (ie, ≤45 years of age, no substance use history), owing to a combination of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and individual genetic variation. Methods Articles positing genetic variants as contributing factors in HNSCC incidence in low‐risk, nontraditional patients were identified using a PubMed search, reviewed in detail, and concisely summarized herein. Results Recent data suggest that common polymorphisms in DNA repair enzymes, cell‐cycle control proteins, apoptotic pathway members, and Fanconi anemia‐associated genes likely modulate susceptibility to HNSCC development in low‐risk, nontraditional patients. Conclusion At present, there is a lack of robust, comprehensive data on genetic drivers of oncogenesis in low‐risk patients and a clear need for further research on genetic alterations underlying the rising incidence of HNSCC in low‐risk, nontraditional patients.