Is There a Role for Sex Hormone Receptors in Head-and-neck Cancer? Links with HPV Infection and Prognosis

Background/Aim: Head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the fifth most common cancer in world and human papillomavirus (HPV) an important risk factor for this neoplasm. Recent studies showed association between sex hormone receptors pathogenesis and/or prognosis patients with HNSCC. The aim of study was to clarify expression patterns HPV-positive HPV-negative HNSCC their associations tumour biopathology biological behaviour. Materials Methods: Scientific literature indexed PubMed about retrieved critically analyzed, obtain overview possible implications prognosis. Results: Sex were more frequently detected oropharyngeal tumours compared from other locations. ERα associated tumours. androgen progesterone poor patient Estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) implicated different ways, by promoting DNA hypermutation facilitating HPV integration thus contributing immunogenic phenotype, but also cooperating epithelial growth (EGFR) promote resistance therapy. Conclusion: may be prognostic value specific subgroups, use hormonal therapies still not close sight.