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Precision Medicine in Head and Neck Cancer: Myth or Reality?

Eoghan Malone1, Lillian L Siu1

  • 1Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.

Clinical Medicine Insights. Oncology
|June 12, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Standard head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treatments lack personalization. Integrating molecular complexity and systems biology can advance precision medicine and theranostics for HNSCC patients.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Genomics
  • Systems Biology

Background:

  • Current head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treatment relies on limited factors like tumor location, histology, and stage.
  • The human papillomavirus's role in HNSCC risk stratification is under clinical evaluation.
  • Molecular complexity and intratumoral heterogeneity are not yet integrated into HNSCC management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the limitations of current HNSCC treatment strategies.
  • To emphasize the need for integrating molecular and systems biology approaches in HNSCC.
  • To advocate for the development of precision medicine-based theranostic options in HNSCC.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current treatment paradigms in HNSCC.
  • Discussion of the impact of the genomic era on cancer research.
  • Proposal for integrative analysis using systems biology methods.
  • Exploration of next-generation sequencing for identifying therapeutic targets.

Main Results:

  • Genomic data provides insights into cancer subtypes and potential therapeutic targets.
  • Current HNSCC management does not fully utilize available molecular information.
  • Advanced technologies offer potential for deeper understanding of HNSCC.

Conclusions:

  • There is a critical need to move beyond the current treatment armamentarium in HNSCC.
  • Integrative analysis of multi-omics data is essential for advancing HNSCC precision medicine.
  • Developing theranostic strategies holds promise for improved HNSCC patient outcomes.
Keywords:
Head and neck cancercirculating tumor cellgene expression profilingindel burdenliquid biopsy

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