Reference gene selection for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma gene expression studies

Smad4: gatekeeper gene in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Unchecked cell growth is a hallmark of cancer. During oncogenesis, cancerous cells become resistant to the TGF-beta signaling pathway that usually keeps cell growth in check. The role of a critical mediator of this pathway, Smad4, in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains unclear. In this issue of the JCI, Bornstein and colleagues report that Smad4 expression is decreased in mali...

Gene Alterations in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

HNSCCs are a huge health problem throughout the world. It is the sixth most common cancer worldwide affecting more than 600,000 new patients each year. Only about 50% of patients survive for 5 years period. HNSCCs are a highly heterogeneous group of tumors that arise via one of the two primary carcinogenic pathways. The first is chemical carcinogenesis resulted from exposure to tobacco and alco...

Gene expression analysis for assessment of lymph node metastasis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Gene expression analysis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma survival and recurrence

The squamous cell carcinomas represent about 90 % of all head and neck cancers, ranking the sixth most common human cancer. Approximately 450,000 of new cases of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are diagnosed every year. Unfortunately, because of diagnosis at the advanced stages and early metastasis to the lymph nodes, the HNSCC is associated with very high death rate. Identificati...

Gene expression differences associated with human papillomavirus status in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is associated with a subset of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Between 15% and 35% of HNSCCs harbor HPV DNA. Demographic and exposure differences between HPV-positive (HPV+) and negative (HPV-) HNSCCs suggest that HPV+ tumors may constitute a subclass with different biology, whereas clinical differences have also been observed. Gene expression profiles ...