[Genetic predeterminations of head and neck cancer]

Abstract

The growing number of human cancers is the main reason for the search for new effective treatment strategies. The molecular basis for cancer transformation has to be elucidated in order to improve cancer treatment. It is stated that HNSCCs make up at least 5% of all registered malignant tumors in Poland. Exogenous factors influence HNSCC etiology. The prevalence of HNSCC is increased by several carcinogens, including tobacco smoke, life style, and others, such as oncogenous viral infections. It is more often emphasized that endogenous agents can also increase the risk of HNSCC development, especially genetic factors. The most recently characterized genetic factors for head and neck cancer are mutations in xenobiotic metabolism enzyme genes (GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTP1), suppressors mutations (TP53, RB1, BRCA1, ATM), polymorphisms of DNA repair genes (OGG1, XRCC1, XPD, RAD51), and mutations in mitochondrial DNA. It has been observed that single-gene polymorphisms could affect treatment, whereas the coincidence of other gene mutations may increase the risk of human head and neck cancer development.