Changing the paradigm: the potential for targeted therapy in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) remains a highly morbid and fatal disease. Historically, it has been a model example for organ preservation and treatment stratification paradigms. Unfortunately, survival for LSCC has stagnated over the past few decades. As the era of next-generation sequencing and personalized treatment for cancer approaches, LSCC may be an ideal disease for consideration of further treatment stratification and personalization. Here, we will discuss the important history of LSCC as a model system for organ preservation, unique and potentially targetable genetic signatures of LSCC, and methods for bringing stratified, personalized treatment strategies to the 21st century.

Keywords

• Head and neck cancer
• laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma
• genetics
• targeted therapy
• personalized medicine