Molecular biology of head and neck cancer

Abstract

The term molecular biology of head and neck cancer includes two terms “molecules” and” biology.” Molecules are made of atoms and biology includes study of life. Hence, the study of molecular biology of cancer is very essential in understanding the atoms involved, their effect on life in cancer, and the factors controlling its growth, extension, and the process of metastasis. Even though it is an old concept, new molecules were being discovered which have been involved actively in the carcinogenesis. It is a complex process to understand because it involves numerous factors, few involved in halting the process of cancer and few involved in progression of cancer. In normal cells, these both are in a balanced state, and any imbalance in these two results in abnormal growth which becomes persistent. Hence, new treatment modalities by targeting atoms, molecules, receptors, and signal transduction pathways, abnormal, or mutated genes can be invented to decrease the mortality rate and increase the prognosis of patients suffering from head and neck cancer. This review mainly focuses on the molecules involved in head and cancer, their clinical implications, and their role in inventing new therapies.

Keywords

• Cancer
• genes
• molecules
• pathways
• signals