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Updated: Nov 23, 2025
Therapy Testing in a Spheroid-based 3D Cell Culture Model for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Published on: April 20, 2018
Current and Future Therapeutic Targets: A Review on Treating Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Geet Madhukar1, Naidu Subbarao1
1School of Computational and Integrative Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India.
Abstract:
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) continues to be a global public health burden even after a tremendous development in its treatment. It is a heterogeneous cancer of upper aero-digestive tract. The contemporary strategy to treat cancer is the use of anticancer drugs against proteins possessing abnormal expression. Targeted chemotherapy was found successful in HNSCC, but, there is still a stagnant improvement in the survival rates and high recurrence rates due to undesirable chemotherapy reactions, non-specificity of drugs, resistance against drugs and drug toxicity on non-cancerous tissues and cells. Various extensive studies lead to the identification of drug targets capable to treat HNSCC effectively. The current review article gives an insight into these promising anticancer targets along with knowledge of drugs under various phases of development. In addition, new potential targets that are not yet explored against HNSCC are also described. We believe that exploring and developing drugs against these targets might prove beneficial in treating HNSCC.
Insights
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains a challenge despite treatment advances. This review explores promising and novel drug targets to improve HNSCC survival rates and overcome treatment resistance.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a significant global health issue affecting the upper aero-digestive tract.
- Current targeted chemotherapy for HNSCC shows limitations including drug resistance, toxicity, and stagnant survival rates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review identified promising anticancer drug targets for HNSCC.
- To discuss drugs in development and explore novel, uninvestigated targets for HNSCC treatment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing studies on HNSCC drug targets.
- Analysis of current drug development phases for HNSCC.
- Identification of potential new therapeutic targets.
Main Results:
- Several promising drug targets for HNSCC have been identified through extensive research.
- A range of drugs targeting these pathways are in various stages of clinical development.
- Potential new targets for future HNSCC therapeutic strategies are highlighted.
Conclusions:
- Exploring and developing drugs against identified and novel targets holds promise for improving HNSCC treatment outcomes.
- Addressing limitations of current therapies through new drug targets is crucial for enhancing patient survival and reducing recurrence.
