Profiling and Targeting Epigenetic Marks to Improve Diagnosis and Therapeutic Approaches in Head and Neck Cancer

Profiling and Targeting Epigenetic Marks to Improve Diagnosis and Therapeutic Approaches in Head and Neck Cancer

Investigators have recently shown that epigenetic remodelling enzymes, such as HDAC inhibitors, are feasible drugs in HNC (8, 9). Preliminary data are indicating some deregulated epigenetics marks suggesting the corresponding histone modifiers as possible targets for the treatment of HNC, providing an attractive and feasible option to build upon. Our overarching hypothesis is that unique histone marks distinguish HPV+ and HPV- HNC and that specific histone modifiers are novel mediators of HNC tumorigenesis in an HPV specific manner

Head and neck cancer (HNC) is a highly heterogeneous disease, involving diverse anatomical sites including oral cavity, larynx and oropharynx. HNC risk factors include tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption and, especially for the subtype of oropharyngeal cancers (OPC), human papillomavirus (HPV) infection

Inclusion Criteria:• Age: Adults aged ≥ 18 years diagnosed with HNC

• Sex: Both male and female
• Human papilloma virus (HPV) test: Both positive and negative.
• Tumor: primary tumors, treatment naïve, squamous cell carcinoma
• Cancer stage: I-IV
• Anatomic location: oral cavity, larynx, oropharynx
• Tumor fragments not required for diagnostics

Exclusion Criteria:

• Previous radiotherapy, chemotherapy or immunotherapy for HNC
• Unable to provide written informed consent