Biomarkers for Use in Monitoring Responses of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cells to Ionizing Radiation

Abstract

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a common head and neck cancer. The incidence rate is higher in southern China and Southeast Asia in comparison with the Western countries. Radiotherapy is the standard treatment of NPC as the cancer cells are sensitive to ionizing radiation. Radiation treatment has good local control to patients with early NPC. It is essential to monitor the response of the NPC cells to radiation treatment in advance in order to select suitable treatment choice for the patients. This review aims to discuss the potential use of biomarkers in monitoring the responsiveness of NPC cells to radiation treatment.

Keywords

• nasopharyngeal carcinoma
• radiotherapy
• ionizing radiation
• biomarkers