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Biomarkers predicting chemotherapy response in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: a review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 October 2015

B Cosway ,
V Paleri  and
J Wilson
B Cosway*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
V Paleri
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
J Wilson
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Mr Benjamin Cosway, Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7DN, UK E-mail: benjamin.cosway@newcastle.ac.uk
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Abstract

Background:

Biomarkers are increasingly being used in many cancers to select patients for oncological treatment paradigms based on their inherent genetic properties. However, in head and neck cancers, there are no personalised therapies available outside the context of a clinical trial. A number of studies suggest there are intrinsic tumour properties of head and neck cancers that affect their response to chemotherapeutic agents. This paper aimed to review their evidence base.

Method:

A narrative review was conducted following a search of the PubMed database.

Results and conclusion:

The review identified a number of biomarkers predicting response to chemotherapy in head and neck cancers. The paper discusses these in detail, and explores where future research could be directed in order to deliver personalised therapies for patients with head and neck cancers.

Keywords

Otorhinolaryngological NeoplasmsInduction ChemotherapyBiological Markers

Information

Type
Review Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 129 , Issue 11 , November 2015 , pp. 1046 - 1052
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2015 

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