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Tumorbiologie des Oropharynxkarzinoms

Tumor biology of oropharyngeal carcinoma

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Zusammenfassung

Hintergrund

Oropharynxkarzinome (OPSCC) unterscheiden sich abhängig von noxenbasierter oder durch humane Papillomaviren (HPV) getriebener Ätiologie in klinischen Faktoren und der Prognose. Zugrunde liegend sind molekulare Unterschiede der Tumorbiologie.

Ziel der Arbeit

Ziel war die Darstellung wichtiger molekularbiologischer Charakteristika der Genetik, Epigenetik und Immunologie von OPSCC.

Material und Methoden

Es handelt sich um eine Übersichtsarbeit zu einer Auswahl molekularbiologischer Faktoren der Tumorbiologie von OPSCC aus Genetik, Epigenetik und Immunologie.

Ergebnisse

Genetische Veränderungen und deren Auswirkungen auf Kanzerogenese und Tumorbiologie werden in zunehmender Tiefe verstanden. Epigenetische Phänomene ergänzen funktionelle Zusammenhänge. Die epigenetischen Regulationsmechanismen der Gene sind komplex. Daher besteht in diesem Feld weiterhin großer Forschungsbedarf. Immunologische Aspekte der Molekularbiologie gewinnen im Kontext der aktuellen Entwicklungen in der Immunonkologie an Bedeutung.

Schlussfolgerung

Die Tumorbiologie von Oropharynxkarzinomen unterscheidet sich v. a. bezüglich des HPV-Status. Zusätzlich werden HPV-unabhängige Subgruppen genetisch, epigenetisch und immunologisch zunehmend charakterisiert. Aus diesen Erkenntnissen können logische Grundprinzipien neuer Therapiekonzepte abgeleitet werden.

Abstract

Background

Etiologically, oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) can be divided into OPSCC caused by noxious agents and human papillomavirus (HPV)-driven carcinoma. These types differ with regard to clinical features and prognosis—differences which are rooted in the underlying molecular biology of the tumor.

Objective

The aim of this work is to provide an overview of the molecular biological characteristics of the genetics, epigenetics, and immunology of OPSCC.

Materials and methods

A literature review was performed on a selection of genetic, epigenetic, and immunological factors characterizing OPSCC.

Results

The understanding of genetic aberrations and their consequences for cancerogenesis and tumor biology is increasing. Epigenetic phenomena are complementing functional relationships. However, epigenetic mechanisms of gene regulation are complex and much research is still required in this field. Immunological aspects of cancer molecular biology have moved into the focus in light of recent advances in the field of immunotherapy.

Conclusion

The tumor biology of OPSCC is primarily defined by its HPV status. Additionally, HPV-independent genetic, epigenetic, and immunological signatures are being defined. From these advances, rationales for new treatment concepts may evolve.

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Danksagung

Die Abbildungen wurden mit AVAtar (https://github.com/sysbio-bioinf/avatar) erstellt. Für Abb. 1 wurden Daten des The Cancer Genome Atlas von cBioPortal [24, 24] importiert und mittels AVAtar visualisiert.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Kopf-Hals-Tumorzentrum Ulm, Klinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohrenheilkunde, und Kopf-Hals-Chirurgie, Universitätsklinik Ulm, Frauensteige 12, 87070, Ulm, Deutschland

    S. Laban, M Brand, J. Ezić, J. Doescher, C. Brunner & T. K. Hoffmann

  2. Institut für Medizinische Systembiologie, Universität Ulm, Ulm, Deutschland

    G. Völkel & H. A. Kestler

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  1. S. Laban
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  2. M Brand
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Correspondence to S. Laban.

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Interessenkonflikt

S. Laban: Advisory Boards: Astra Zeneca (AZ), Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD). Vortragshonorare: Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS), Merck Serono, MSD. J. Doescher: Advisory Boards: Merck Serono, MSD. Vortragshonorare: Merck Serono. T. K. Hoffmann: Advisory Boards: BMS, MSD. Vortragshonorare: BMS, Merck Serono, MSD. M. Brand, C. Brunner, J. Ezić, G. Völkel, und H.A. Kestler geben an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht.

Für diesen Beitrag wurden von den Autoren keine Studien an Menschen oder Tieren durchgeführt. Für die aufgeführten Studien gelten die jeweils dort angegebenen ethischen Richtlinien.

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Laban, S., Brand, M., Ezić, J. et al. Tumorbiologie des Oropharynxkarzinoms. HNO 69, 249–255 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00106-020-00964-4

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