Transcription Factors: A Potential Therapeutic Target in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common histopathological type of head and neck cancer; it often spreads to and involves the cervical lymph nodes. The tumorigenesis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a multistep process mediated by various transcription factors involved in progression and metastasis. Alterations in transcription factors such as FOSL1, YY1, FOXD1 and NF-κB have been associated with increased cell proliferation, cell migration and poor survival rates in patients with HNSCC. Stimulation of the NF-κB pathway results in transcriptional activation of other target genes associated with cell survival and proliferation. Understanding these molecular mechanisms will helps us develop new treatment strategies that target these transcription factors and may eventually decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with HNSCC.

Keywords::

• head and neck cancer
• progression
• transcription factors

Financial&competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.