Thomas J. Ow, Casey E. Pitts, Rafi Kabarriti, and Madhur K. Garg (2015) Effective Biomarkers and Radiation Treatment in Head and Neck Cancer. Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine: November 2015, Vol. 139, No. 11, pp. 1379-1388.

SPECIAL SECTION—HEAD AND NECK SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA

Effective Biomarkers and Radiation Treatment in Head and Neck Cancer

Thomas J. Ow, MD, MS; Casey E. Pitts, BA; Rafi Kabarriti, MD; Madhur K. Garg, MD, MB, BS

From the Departments of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (Drs Ow and Garg), Pathology (Dr Ow), Radiation Oncology (Drs Kabarriti and Garg), and Urology (Dr Garg) Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York; and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine (Drs Ow, Kabarriti, and Garg, and Ms Pitts), Bronx.

Reprints: Thomas J. Ow, MD, MS, Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 3400 Bainbridge Ave, Third Floor Greene Medical Arts Pavilion, Bronx, NY 10467 (e-mail:THOW@montefiore.org).

The authors have no relevant financial interest in the products or companies described in this article.

Context.— Radiation is a key arm in the multidisciplinary treatment of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. During the past 2 decades, significant changes in the way radiation therapy is planned and delivered have improved efficacy and decreased toxicity. Refined approaches in the application of radiation and chemoradiation have led to organ-sparing treatment regimens for laryngeal and pharyngeal cancers and have improved local and regional control rates in the postoperative, adjuvant setting. The molecular and genetic determinants of tumor cell response to radiation have been studied, and several potential biomarkers are emerging that could further improve application and efficacy of radiation treatment in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Objective.— To discuss the current understanding of potential biomarkers related to radiation response in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Data Sources.— Existing published literature.

Conclusions.— Several potential biomarkers are actively being studied as predictors and targets to improve the use and efficacy of radiation therapy to treat head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Several promising candidates have been defined, and new markers are on the horizon.