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Ancient and Emerging Nanostructures for Innovations to Fight Head and Neck Cancer
Nina Kummer1, Ömür Acet2, Burcu Önal Acet3
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Nanobiomedicine/Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany.
Cells
|February 26, 2026
Summary
Integrating traditional and advanced nanotechnology offers new strategies to combat head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). These nano-platforms target key cellular processes to overcome therapy resistance and improve patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Nanomedicine
- Oncology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) presents significant challenges due to aggressive behavior, late diagnosis, and therapy resistance.
- Tumor progression in HNSCC involves complex alterations in oncogenic signaling, stress adaptation, DNA damage response, and immune regulation.
- Current therapeutic strategies for HNSCC face limitations in overcoming resistance and improving patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the integration of established and emerging nanostructures for novel therapeutic strategies against HNSCC.
- To highlight how nanotechnology can target cellular processes critical for HNSCC growth, survival, and resistance.
- To synthesize historical and contemporary developments in nanostructure design for HNSCC treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review and synthesis of historical and contemporary nanostructures, including mineral-based nanoparticles, biopolymers, nanovesicles, nanobodies, engineered exosomes, DNA origami, and stimuli-responsive nanoparticles.
- Analysis of how these nanostructures can modulate cellular signaling, redox balance, immune responses, and DNA damage repair pathways.
- Focus on targeting key cellular and microenvironmental processes beyond simple drug delivery.
Main Results:
- Established nanostructures offer biocompatible platforms for modulating cellular signaling and immune responses.
- Emerging nanosystems enable precise molecular targeting, controlled release, and manipulation of intracellular and intercellular communication.
- Integrated nano-platforms can target DNA damage response, redox homeostasis, immune regulation, and stress adaptation.
Conclusions:
- The integration of ancient materials with advanced nanotechnology provides a powerful approach to reshape HNSCC therapeutic strategies.
- Targeting cellular and microenvironmental processes, rather than solely drug delivery, can overcome resistance mechanisms.
- These advanced nano-platforms hold promise for reprogramming the tumor microenvironment and improving therapeutic precision and patient outcomes in HNSCC.
