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Immunology background and epigenetics of head and neck cancer

Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) is the 7th most common malignancy worldwide. The immune system plays a key role in the development, establishment and progression of HNSCC. Cancer cells produce cytokines suppressing cell-mediated antitumour immunity allowing immune escape that enables the cancer to manifest. Thus, HNSCC creates local immunosuppressive conditions, with lower absolute lymphocytic counts than those found in healthy subjects. Impairment of tumour- infiltrating T-lymphocytes affecting clinical outcome has also been reported in HNSCC and other cancers. DNA methylation and small non- coding RNA molecules, microRNAs (miRNAs ; miRs) have been demonstrated to function as important regulators of immune response in both physiological and pathological conditions. Gene silencing by DNA methylation and deregulation of miRs are associated with almost all human malignancies and recent studies showed several deregulated miRs and methylated genes in HNSCC. Different miRs have been reported to control the development and functions of tumour- associated immune cells. The aim of this study was therefore to identify those genes and miRs that are deregulated in HNSCC. Several differentially expressed miRNAs and methylated genes implicated in immune response in tumour tissues in comparison to controls were identified. Understanding of their function in relation to the regulation of the immune system is important and might help to improve therapy of HNSCC patients.

Immunology ; Epigenetic ; Head and Neck Cancer

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