Radioresistance and genomic alterations in head and neck squamous cell cancer: Sub-analysis of the ProfiLER protocol

Head Neck. 2021 Dec;43(12):3899-3910. doi: 10.1002/hed.26891. Epub 2021 Oct 13.

Abstract

Background: Genome analysis could provide tools to assess predictive molecular biomarkers of radioresistance.

Methods: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients included in ProfiLER study and who underwent a curative radiotherapy were screened. Univariate and Cox multivariate analyses were performed to explore the relationships between molecular abnormalities, infield relapse and complete tumor response after radiation.

Results: One hundred and forty-three patients were analyzed. PIK3CA mutation and genomic instability of MAP kinases pathway were found to be prognostic factors of loco-regional relapse in multivariate analysis with respectively HR 0.33, 95% CI 0.13-0.83, p = 0.005 and HR 0.61, 95% CI 0.38-0.96, p = 0.025. Instability of apoptosis pathway was found to be a prognostic factor of complete response after radiotherapy with HR 0.24, 95% CI 0.07-0.88, p = 0.04.

Conclusion: This sub analysis suggests that PIK3CA mutation, variation of copy number of MAP kinases and apoptosis pathways play a significant role in the radioresistance phenomenon.

Keywords: MAP kinases; PIK3CA; apoptosis; genome profiling; head and neck squamous cell carcinoma; radioresistance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* / radiotherapy
  • Class I Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / genetics*
  • Genomics
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms* / radiotherapy
  • Humans
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / genetics
  • Prognosis
  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck / genetics
  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck / radiotherapy

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Class I Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases
  • PIK3CA protein, human