Gene Polymorphism in Genomic Stability Pathway: A Genetic Driver behind the Emergence of Head and Neck Cancer

Abstract

Head and Neck cancer is a devastating and unresectable disease, is the sixth most prevalent cancer accounting for 3% of all cancer. Majority of head and neck cancer originated from mucosal lining of the upper aero-digestive tract part especially in larynx, pharynx, oral cavity and nasal cavity collectively termed head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Tobacco and alcohol are crucial risk factors of head and neck cancer. Additional etiologies that cause head and neck cancer are viral infection and genetic susceptibility factors and its association with head and neck cancer is still to be understood. Genetic instability is one of the prevalent features of all types of cancers. Genetic blueprint (DNA) is usually damaged by exogenous, endogenous mutant agents and genetic variant in combination with environmental exposure to exogenous/endogenous carcinogens is the main factor responsible for differences between individuals. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in DDR (DNA damage repair) genes are accountable for multiple cancers including head and neck cancer. In this time line article, we focus on the correlation between polymorphisms in the genomic stability pathway and emergence of head and neck cancer. Additionally, we also highlight the various treatments implicated in head and neck cancer.