Chapter 19 - MicroRNA-based clinical trials for head and neck cancer

Abstract

Head and neck cancer (HNC) is placed seventh among the most commonly occurring cancers worldwide, and more than 90% includes head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The HNSCC can be considered a group of heterogeneous cancers, including various structures regarding the aerodigestive tract. The structures include salivary glands, oral cavity, larynx, nasal cavity, pharynx, lymph nodes in the local region, paranasal sinuses, and the oropharynx. The new therapeutic strategies led to an improvement in the survival rates in various patient groups; however, the human papillomavirus-associated cancers, second primary tumors, as well as recurrences remain problems to be solved. microRNA (miRNA) is a small, noncoding single-stranded RNA that undergoes expression in reaction to various events within the human body and is believed to have an involvement in HNC. They play a role in cell survival dysregulation, differentiation, proliferation, adhesion, as well as invasion of cancer cells. A quick, as well as reliable, biomarker facilitating early disease diagnosis is a need of the hour. Similarly, additional biomarkers are required for treatment response prediction, disease monitoring, and prognosis; miRNAs could be utilized in all of these areas and can also be targeted with novel drugs and delivery systems as the recent technological advancements are resulting in the identification and exploration of several miRNAs associated with HNC. The chapter discusses the current landscape of miRNA-based clinical trials in HNC, as well as the promising miRNAs to be utilized in HNC diagnosis, as biomarkers for the profiling and therapeutic outcome prediction of chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy, and as markers for disease monitoring and prognosis.