Mutational and immunologic Landscape in malignant Salivary Gland Tumors harbor the potential for novel therapeutic strategies

Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2022 Feb:170:103592. doi: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2022.103592. Epub 2022 Jan 10.

Abstract

Salivary gland carcinomas (SGC) are rare (3-6 % of all head and neck cancers) and show biological heterogeneity depending on the respective histological subtype. While complete surgical resection is the standard treatment for localized disease, chemotherapy or radiation therapy are frequently insufficient for the treatment of unresectable or metastasized SGC. Therefore, new therapeutic approaches such as molecularly targeted therapy or the application of immune checkpoint inhibition enhance the treatment repertoire. Accordingly, comprehensive analyses of the genomic landscape and the tumor-microenvironment (TME) are of crucial importance in order to optimize and individualize SGC treatment. This manuscript combines the current scientific knowledge of the composition of the mutational landscape and the TME in SGCs harboring the potential for novel (immune-) targeted therapeutic strategies.

Keywords: Immune landscape; Microenvironment; Mutational landscape; Salivary gland carcinoma.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Head and Neck Neoplasms*
  • Humans
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Mutation
  • Salivary Gland Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Salivary Gland Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Tumor Microenvironment