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Modeling head and neck cancer stem cell-mediated tumorigenesis

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Abstract

A large body of literature has emerged supporting the importance of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in the pathogenesis of head and neck cancers. CSCs are a subpopulation of cells within a tumor that share the properties of self-renewal and multipotency with stem cells from normal tissue. Their functional relevance to the pathobiology of cancer arises from the unique properties of tumorigenicity, chemotherapy resistance, and their ability to metastasize and invade distant tissues. Several molecular profiles have been used to discriminate a stem cell from a non-stem cell. CSCs can be grown for study and further enriched using a number of in vitro techniques. An evolving option for translational research is the use of mathematical and computational models to describe the role of CSCs in complex tumor environments. This review is focused discussing the evidence emerging from modeling approaches that have clarified the impact of CSCs to the biology of cancer.

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Abbreviations

HNSCC:

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

HPV:

Human papilloma virus

CSC:

Cancer stem cell

PDX:

Patient-derived xenograft

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Acknowledgments

This work was funded by the University of Michigan Head Neck SPORE P50-CA-97248 (JEN), from the NIH/NCI; R21-DE19279, R01-DE23220 and R01-DE21139 from the NIH/NIDCR (JEN), and a Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) through the University of Michigan Hematology/Oncology fellowship (T32 2T32CA009357-31A1).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan School of Medicine, 1500 E. Medical Center Dr., SPC 5848, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-5848, USA

    Alexander T. Pearson

  2. Department of Mathematics, University of Michigan School of Literature, Sciences, and the Arts, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Trachette L. Jackson

  3. Department of Restorative Sciences, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, 1011 N. University Rm. 2309, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-1078, USA

    Jacques E. Nör

  4. Department of Otolaryngology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Jacques E. Nör

  5. Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan College of Engineering, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Jacques E. Nör

  6. Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Jacques E. Nör

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  1. Alexander T. Pearson
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Pearson, A.T., Jackson, T.L. & Nör, J.E. Modeling head and neck cancer stem cell-mediated tumorigenesis. Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 73, 3279–3289 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-016-2226-x

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