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Updated: Jan 24, 2026

Isolation and Characterization of a Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Subpopulation Having Stem Cell Characteristics
Published on: May 11, 2016
Heterogeneity of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Stem Cells
Xu Qian1,2, Xiaobo Nie3, Barbara Wollenberg4
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institutes of Health, Berlin, Germany.
Abstract:
Current systemic cancer treatment in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is moving toward more personalized approaches such as de-escalation protocols human-papilloma-virus dependent HNSCC or application of checkpoint inhibitors. However, these treatments have been challenged by cancer stem cells (CSC), a small population within the bulk tumor, which are leading to treatment failure, tumor recurrence, or metastases. This review will give an overview of the characteristics of HNSCC-CSC. Specifically, the mechanisms by which HNSCC-CSC induce tumor initiation, progression, recurrence, or metastasis will be discussed. Although evidence-based treatment options targeting HNSCC-CSC specifically are still being sought for, they warrant a promise for additional and sustainable treatment options where for HNSCC patients where others have failed.
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