HEAD AND NECK CANCER STEM CELL PROTEOMICS

It is critical to identify the cell of origin of cancer and the genes/proteins/transcriptional/epigenetic factors of that cell. Here, we review studies on head and neck cancer stem cells (CSC) in the hope of developing better understanding of their role highlighting their importance as novel drug targets. CSC model has introduced a hierarchical conceptual framework for the interpretation of intratumour heterogeneity within tumour. This, in turn, has culminated in a major paradigm shift in terms of how different types of cancers can be targeted for treatment. Several malignancies conform to the CSC model of tumour growth yet identification of CSC markers remains a profound challenge.Key words: Chemo- and radio-resistance, head and neck cancer stem cells, proteomics, treatment modalities