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Translocations and Gene Fusions in Sinonasal Malignancies

  • HEAD AND NECK CANCERS (EY HANNA, SECTION EDITOR)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

During the past few years there has been an expansion in our understanding of gene fusions and translocations involved in cancer of the sinonasal tract. Here we review the downstream biologic effects, clinical characteristics, and pathologic features of these tumors. The molecular consequences and neo-antigens resulting from these chromosomal aberrations are considered and targets for current and future clinical trials discussed.

Recent Findings

Several new, clinically relevant, chromosomal aberrations have been discovered and evaluated to varying degrees in sinonasal tumors including DEK::AFF2, BRD4::NUT, ADCK4::NUMBL, and ETV6::NTRK3.

Summary

Sinonasal malignancies demonstrate a diverse genetic landscape and varying clinical courses. Recent studies illustrate that gene fusions and translocations may play a role in carcinogenesis in certain sinonasal tumor subtypes and may be used to develop new biomarker-driven and patient-centered treatments.

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Funding

This research was supported (in part) by the Intramural Research Program of the NIH, NCI. This research was made possible through the NIH Medical Research Scholars Program, a public–private partnership supported jointly by the NIH and contributions to the NIH from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation (DDCF Grant #2014194), the American Association for Dental Research, the Colgate-Palmolive Company, Genentech, Elsevier, and other private donors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sinonasal and Skull Base Tumor Program, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA

    Riley Larkin & Nyall R. London Jr.

  2. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA

    Riley Larkin

  3. Department of Head and Neck Cancer, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Oviedo, Spain

    Mario A. Hermsen

  4. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Nyall R. London Jr.

  5. Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Nyall R. London Jr.

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  1. Riley Larkin
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Correspondence to Nyall R. London Jr..

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N. London receives research funding from Merck Sharp & Dohme, LLC regarding HPV-related sinonasal carcinomas and holds stock in Navigen Pharmaceuticals, none of which are relevant to the present manuscript. All other authors declare no competing interests.

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Larkin, R., Hermsen, M.A. & London Jr., N.R. Translocations and Gene Fusions in Sinonasal Malignancies. Curr Oncol Rep 25, 269–278 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-023-01364-x

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