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The interplay of cytokine signaling and non-coding RNAs in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma pathobiology

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Abstract

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Despite aggressive treatment approaches, the recurrence of HNSCC remains a challenge. Cytokines play an essential role in HNSCC development and progression. They are not only involved in promoting cancer growth but may also be involved in an anti-tumor immune response. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have emerged as important transcriptional and post-transcriptional mediators of cytokine function in HNSCC. This review focuses on the complex regulatory network among regulatory ncRNAs and cytokines during HNSCC pathogenesis.

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Abbreviations

HNSCC:

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

OSCC:

Oral squamous cell carcinoma

NPC:

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma

LSCC:

Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma

TSCC:

Tongue squamous cell carcinoma

OPSCC:

Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma

HPV:

Human papillomavirus

TGF-β:

Transforming growth factor-β

TGFβRII:

Transforming growth factor- β type II receptor

IL:

Interleukin

TNF‐α:

Tumor necrosis factor‐α

VEGF:

Vascular endothelial growth factor

PDGF:

Platelet-derived growth factor

MIF:

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor

IFN:

Interferon

NF-κB:

Nuclear factor-k-gene binding

STAT:

Signal transducer and activator of transcription

MAPK:

Mitogen-activated protein kinase

PI3K:

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase

ncRNAs:

Non-coding RNAs

lncRNAs:

Long non-coding RNAs

miRNAs:

MicroRNAs

circRNAs:

Circular RNAs

EMT:

Epithelial to mesenchymal transition

TME:

Tumor microenvironment

CAF:

Cancer-associated fibroblasts

CSC:

Cancer stem cells

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Funding

Oral cancer research in VS lab is supported by funding from OPERA and CHDR Grants from BITS Pilani-Hyderabad Campus and ICMR Grant Number 2021-10878. Swati is supported by the DST Inspire fellowship (Registration no. IF190343).

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  1. Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani-Hyderabad Campus, Jawahar Nagar, Hyderabad, 500 078, India

    Swati & Vivek Sharma

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VS conceived and designed the manuscript. S and VS wrote the manuscript. All authors have critically reviewed the manuscript and approved the final version of the manuscript.

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Swati, Sharma, V. The interplay of cytokine signaling and non-coding RNAs in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma pathobiology. Mol Biol Rep 49, 10825–10847 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-022-07770-x

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