Zuzana Saidak1,2, Claire Lailler1,3, Florian Clatot4,5, Antoine Galmiche1,3. 1. Equipe CHIMERE EA7516, Université de Picardie Jules Verne, Amiens. 2. Laboratoire d'Oncobiologie Moléculaire, Centre de Biologie Humaine. 3. Service de Biochimie, Centre de Biologie Humaine, CHU Amiens. 4. Centre Henri Becquerel. 5. INSERM U1245/ IRON team, Rouen, France.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Perineural invasion (PNI) is a pathological feature frequently observed in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The difficulties of pathological standardization and the lack of a simple validated experimental model to study PNI render its analysis complex. Here, we aim to summarize the recent advances in the understanding of the biology of PNI in HNSCC and their potential clinical implications. RECENT FINDINGS: PNI is a multistep process leading to a dialogue between cancer cells and nerve fibers in HNSCC. Recent studies have identified some of the active molecular mechanisms involved in PNI. Comprehensive studies addressing the transcriptional regulation of PNI bring interesting perspectives for a standardized molecular diagnosis of PNI and a better assessment of its contribution to the aggressiveness of HNSCC. SUMMARY: Perineural invasion is a complex process that reflects specific tumor biology. In addition to unveiling new fundamental concepts about the tumor microenvironment, research on PNI promises to identify new biomarkers, enabling progress in therapeutic development against HNSCC.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Perineural invasion (PNI) is a pathological feature frequently observed in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The difficulties of pathological standardization and the lack of a simple validated experimental model to study PNI render its analysis complex. Here, we aim to summarize the recent advances in the understanding of the biology of PNI in HNSCC and their potential clinical implications. RECENT FINDINGS: PNI is a multistep process leading to a dialogue between cancer cells and nerve fibers in HNSCC. Recent studies have identified some of the active molecular mechanisms involved in PNI. Comprehensive studies addressing the transcriptional regulation of PNI bring interesting perspectives for a standardized molecular diagnosis of PNI and a better assessment of its contribution to the aggressiveness of HNSCC. SUMMARY: Perineural invasion is a complex process that reflects specific tumor biology. In addition to unveiling new fundamental concepts about the tumor microenvironment, research on PNI promises to identify new biomarkers, enabling progress in therapeutic development against HNSCC.
Authors: Flora Yan; Yi-Shing Lisa Cheng; Nora Katabi; Shaun A Nguyen; Huey-Shys Chen; Patrick Morgan; Kathy Zhang; Angela C Chi Journal: Head Neck Pathol Date: 2021-03-31