Potential roles of FAT1 somatic mutation in progression of head and neck cancer.

• Authors: Zhuo G Chen, Emory University; Yong Teng, Emory University
• Journal Title: Oncoscience
• Volume: Volume 9
• Publisher: Oncoscience | 2022, Pages 30-32
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.18632/oncoscience.558
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Oncology
• Keywords: FAT1; genetic and proteomic analysis; head and neck cancer; somatic mutation; survival benefits

Abstract

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide [1]. It disturbs patients’ vital upper aero-digestive function. Treatment outcomes for patients with HNSCC remain poor in past decades due to the lack of effective therapeutic options, thereby, discovery and evaluation of new medications are of tremendous importance for improving patients’ survival. Human papillomavirus (HPV) status remains one of strong indicators of survival, however, HPV-unrelated disease carrying a 5-year overall survival (OS) rate of less than 50% [2]. The challenges in effectively treating HNSCC are attributed to its extreme heterogeneity as far as anatomic locations and genetic aberrations. Major gaps in understanding the biology of disease continue to be the main reason behind the paucity of effective therapeutic interventions.