Advances in the study of posttranslational modifications of histones in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

The pathogenesis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is notably complex. Early symptoms are often subtle, and effective early screening methods are currently lacking. The tumors associated with HNSCC develop rapidly, exhibit high aggressiveness, and respond poorly to existing treatments, leading to low survival rates and poor prognosis. Numerous studies have demonstrated that histone posttranslational modifications (HPTMs), including acetylation, methylation, phosphorylation, and ubiquitination, play a critical role in the occurrence and progression of HNSCC. Moreover, targeting histone posttranslationally modified molecules with specific drugs has shown potential in enhancing therapeutic outcomes and improving prognosis, underscoring their significant clinical value. This review aims to summarize the role of histone posttranslational modifications in the pathogenesis and progression of HNSCC and to discuss their clinical significance, thereby providing insights into novel therapeutic approaches and drug development for this malignancy.

Keywords: Epigenetics; Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma; Histone inhibitors; Histone posttranslational modifications.