Genomics, proteomics and immunological signatures as diagnostic, predictive, and prognostic biomarkers in head and neck cancers

Abstract

Head and Neck Cancer (HNC) is the sixth most common cancer type accounting for approximately 900,000 cases and over 400,000 deaths annually (1). Heterogeneous malignancies involving the oral nasal cavities, paranasal sinuses, pharynx, larynx, and salivary glands are associated with HNC. The 5-year survival rate for HNC is 64% with median overall survival length ranging from 1.4 to 8.7 years, with glottic larynx cancer having the longest and hypopharynx cancer the shortest. The risk factors most frequently associated with head and neck cancer include smoking, alcohol consumption, diet, human papillomavirus (HPV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infections. The North African and South-East Asian populations are the most affected by these types of cancers. Recent estimates predict a major increase from 45%-77%, in the number of people who will be affected by these types of tumors in the next 20 years (2).