Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 16, 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

Somatic evolution of head and neck cancer - biological robustness and latent vulnerability

Muneyuki Masuda1, Satoshi Toh, Takahiro Wakasaki

  • 1Department of Head & Neck Surgery, National Kyushu Cancer Center, 3-1-1, Notame, Minamiku, Fukuoka 811-1395, Japan. mmuneyuki@jcom.home.ne.jp

Molecular Oncology
|November 22, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) evolves to resist targeted therapies. Viewing HNSCC as an evolving system reveals vulnerabilities for developing new treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Systems Biology
  • Cancer Evolution

Background:

  • Advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) shows limited survival improvements despite multidisciplinary treatments.
  • Current molecular targeted therapies, based on oncogene addiction, have yielded modest clinical success in HNSCC.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the molecular circuitry of HNSCC by conceptualizing it as an evolving system.
  • To identify novel therapeutic strategies by understanding HNSCC's adaptive mechanisms.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of HNSCC molecular circuitry.
  • Application of a systems biology approach to study cancer evolution.
  • Examination of HNSCC's response to various selective pressures.

Main Results:

  • HNSCC exhibits biological robustness through somatic evolution, enabling it to overcome oncogene addiction.
  • The study frames HNSCC as a complex adaptive system with inherent plasticity and evolvability.

Conclusions:

  • A systems-level understanding of HNSCC evolution is crucial for overcoming treatment resistance.
  • Targeting latent vulnerabilities within this complex adaptive system may lead to more effective therapies for advanced HNSCC.

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

Related Concept Videos

Cancers Originate from Somatic Mutations in a Single Cell02:21

Cancers Originate from Somatic Mutations in a Single Cell

Cancer arises from mutations in the critical genes that allow healthy cells to escape cell cycle regulation and acquire the ability to proliferate indefinitely. Though originating from a single mutation event in one of the originator cells, cancer progresses when the mutant cell lines continue to gain more and more mutations, and finally, become malignant. For example, chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) develops initially as a non-lethal increase in white blood cells, which progressively...
Cancers Originate from Somatic Mutations in a Single Cell02:21

Cancers Originate from Somatic Mutations in a Single Cell

Cancer arises from mutations in the critical genes that allow healthy cells to escape cell cycle regulation and acquire the ability to proliferate indefinitely. Though originating from a single mutation event in one of the originator cells, cancer progresses when the mutant cell lines continue to gain more and more mutations, and finally, become malignant. For example, chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) develops initially as a non-lethal increase in white blood cells, which progressively...
Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells02:53

Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells

Cancer cells accumulate genetic changes at an abnormally rapid rate due to the defects in the DNA repair mechanisms. From an evolutionary perspective, such genetic instability is advantageous for cancer development. Mutant cell lines accumulate a series of beneficial mutations that contribute to their progression into cancer.
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells02:53

Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells

Cancer cells accumulate genetic changes at an abnormally rapid rate due to the defects in the DNA repair mechanisms. From an evolutionary perspective, such genetic instability is advantageous for cancer development. Mutant cell lines accumulate a series of beneficial mutations that contribute to their progression into cancer.
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
Tumor Progression02:07

Tumor Progression

Tumor progression is a phenomenon where the pre-formed tumor acquires successive mutations to become clinically more aggressive and malignant. In the 1950s, Foulds first described the stepwise progression of cancer cells through successive stages.
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
Tumor Progression02:07

Tumor Progression

Tumor progression is a phenomenon where the pre-formed tumor acquires successive mutations to become clinically more aggressive and malignant. In the 1950s, Foulds first described the stepwise progression of cancer cells through successive stages.
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...