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.
CITATION STYLE
Qian, X., Nie, X., Wollenberg, B., Sudhoff, H., Kaufmann, A. M., & Albers, A. E. (2019). Heterogeneity of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma stem cells. In Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology (Vol. 1139, pp. 23–40). Springer New York LLC. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-14366-4_2
Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.