Open AccessTherapeutic strategies for head and neck cancer based on p53 status
Author(s) -
Ichiro Ota,
Noritomo Okamoto,
Katsunari Yane,
Akihisa Takahashi,
Tsuneo Masui,
Hiroshi Hosoi,
Takeo Ohnishi
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
experimental and therapeutic medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1792-1015
pISSN - 1792-0981
DOI - 10.3892/etm.2012.474
Subject(s) - radioresistance , oncogene , cancer , cell cycle , head and neck cancer , cancer research , molecular medicine , head and neck squamous cell carcinoma , cell , mdm2 , radiation therapy , medicine , biology , oncology , bioinformatics , apoptosis , genetics
Squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (HNSCC) are one of the most common types of cancers worldwide, and despite advances in treatment, they still represent a clinical challenge. Inactivation of one or more components in the p53 signaling pathway is an extremely common event in human neoplasia, including HNSCC. The loss of p53 function is responsible for increased aggressiveness in cancers, while tumor chemoresistance and radioresistance can depend on deleted p53 expression, or on the expression of mutated-p53 proteins. Thus, consideration and manipulation of the p53 status during HNSCC cancer therapy should be considered. This review discusses the p53 signaling pathways activated by various cellular stresses, including exposure to cancer therapies. The recognition of the p53 status in cancer cells is a significant factor and could provide valuable assistance during the selection of an effective therapeutic approach.