Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Therapy Testing in a Spheroid-based 3D Cell Culture Model for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
06:11

Therapy Testing in a Spheroid-based 3D Cell Culture Model for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Published on: April 20, 2018

Nuclear receptors in head and neck cancer: current knowledge and perspectives

Andrea Schweitzer1, Shirley K Knauer, Roland H Stauber

  • 1ENT Department, Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University Hospital of Mainz, Mainz, Germany.

International Journal of Cancer
|October 20, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Nuclear receptors are key transcription factors implicated in various diseases. This review explores their role in head and neck cancer, highlighting their potential for targeted therapies and improved patient survival.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Head and neck cancer management has improved, but early recurrences and metastasis limit long-term survival.
  • Identifying molecular mechanisms and regulatory factors for targeted therapies remains crucial.
  • Nuclear receptors, a superfamily of transcription factors, are implicated in diverse physiological and pathophysiological processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an overview of nuclear receptors' molecular functions.
  • To summarize the prognostic and therapeutic relevance of nuclear receptors in head and neck cancer.
  • To address the fragmented knowledge regarding nuclear receptors in this specific tumor entity.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of existing research on nuclear receptors.
  • Analysis of molecular functions and signaling pathways of nuclear receptors.
  • Evaluation of reported associations between nuclear receptors and head and neck cancer.

Main Results:

  • Nuclear receptor signaling dysfunction is linked to various proliferative diseases, making them drug discovery targets.
  • Several nuclear receptors have been associated with head and neck cancer.
  • Targeting strategies for these nuclear receptors are under clinical investigation.

Conclusions:

  • Nuclear receptors represent promising targets for novel anticancer therapies in head and neck cancer.
  • Further research into their pathobiological relevance can lead to improved treatment strategies.
  • Consolidating knowledge on nuclear receptors is essential for advancing head and neck cancer treatment.

More Related Videos

Intramucosal Inoculation of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells in Mice for Tumor Immune Profiling and Treatment Response Assessment07:29

Intramucosal Inoculation of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells in Mice for Tumor Immune Profiling and Treatment Response Assessment

Published on: April 22, 2019

Translationally-Relevant Tumor Resection Model for Murine Preclinical Models of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma07:59

Translationally-Relevant Tumor Resection Model for Murine Preclinical Models of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Published on: April 3, 2026

Related Concept Videos

Transducer Mechanism: Nuclear Receptors01:31

Transducer Mechanism: Nuclear Receptors

Nuclear receptors, or NRs, are unique transcription factors that regulate gene transcription and affect the cellular pathways involved in reproduction, development, or metabolism. Their ability to be stimulated by small lipophilic ligands and control vital cellular processes makes them ideal drug targets. Nearly 10-15% of currently prescribed drugs target these receptors.
About 48 different soluble family members of nuclear receptors are identified that can be divided into two main classes:
Signal Transduction: Overview01:26

Signal Transduction: Overview

Cells respond to many types of information, often through receptor proteins positioned on the membrane. They respond to chemical signals, such as hormones, neurotransmitters, and other signaling molecules, initiating a series of molecular reactions to produce an appropriate response. This is called signal transduction. Cells also coordinate different responses elicited by the same signaling molecule via mediators, allowing molecular cross-talk.
Typically, signal transduction involves three...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
The Nucleolus02:55

The Nucleolus

The nucleolus is the most prominent substructure of the nucleus. When it was first discovered, it was considered to be an isolated organelle that forms fibrils and granules. In 1931, the relationship between the nucleolus and chromosomes was first described by Heitz. He observed that the appearance and size of nucleolus varies depending on the stage of the cell cycle. He also noticed constricted regions on different chromosomes clustered together at definite cell cycle stages. These regions,...
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists01:28

Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists

Neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptors are distributed across the GI tract, vagal afferents, and key CNS regions including the central vomiting center and chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) Chemotherapy agents stimulate enterochromaffin cells in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract to release large amounts of substance P (SP). SP is a neuropeptide released by specific sensory nerves in response to many different stressors, including those in the GI mucosa affected by chemotherapy.  SP binds and activates these...