TY - JOUR
T1 - Salivary gland cancer
T2 - an update on present and emerging therapies
AU - Carlson, Julie
AU - Licitra, Lisa
AU - Locati, Laura
AU - Raben, David
AU - Persson, Fredrik
AU - Stenman, Göran
PY - 2013
Y1 - 2013
N2 - Malignant salivary gland tumors make up a small proportion of malignancies worldwide, yet vary widely in terms of histology, patterns of spread, and recurrence. A better understanding of this variability will guide appropriate treatment recommendations and lead to improved outcomes. Recent molecular genetic studies have uncovered a translocation-generated gene fusion network in salivary gland carcinomas that can be used for diagnosis, treatment decisions, and development of specific targeted therapies. The gene fusions encode novel fusion oncoproteins that function as transcriptional coactivators, tyrosine kinase receptors, and transcription factors involved in growth-factor signaling and cell-cycle regulation. While surgery currently is the primary therapy for operable tumors, radiation plays an important role in the postoperative setting, as well as in the definitive setting for inoperable lesions. An awareness of the risk factors for tumor recurrence and spread is important for both adjuvant therapy referrals and for radiation treatment planning purposes. Additionally, chemotherapy is being used increasingly in both the concurrent setting as a radiosensitizer, as well as in the palliative setting for metastatic tumors. Future trials investigating concurrent chemotherapy and radiation, as well as the use of targeted agents based on evolving molecular discoveries, will elucidate optimal personalized approaches for this challenging disease.
AB - Malignant salivary gland tumors make up a small proportion of malignancies worldwide, yet vary widely in terms of histology, patterns of spread, and recurrence. A better understanding of this variability will guide appropriate treatment recommendations and lead to improved outcomes. Recent molecular genetic studies have uncovered a translocation-generated gene fusion network in salivary gland carcinomas that can be used for diagnosis, treatment decisions, and development of specific targeted therapies. The gene fusions encode novel fusion oncoproteins that function as transcriptional coactivators, tyrosine kinase receptors, and transcription factors involved in growth-factor signaling and cell-cycle regulation. While surgery currently is the primary therapy for operable tumors, radiation plays an important role in the postoperative setting, as well as in the definitive setting for inoperable lesions. An awareness of the risk factors for tumor recurrence and spread is important for both adjuvant therapy referrals and for radiation treatment planning purposes. Additionally, chemotherapy is being used increasingly in both the concurrent setting as a radiosensitizer, as well as in the palliative setting for metastatic tumors. Future trials investigating concurrent chemotherapy and radiation, as well as the use of targeted agents based on evolving molecular discoveries, will elucidate optimal personalized approaches for this challenging disease.
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U2 - 10.1200/EdBook_AM.2013.33.257
DO - 10.1200/EdBook_AM.2013.33.257
M3 - Review article
C2 - 23714518
AN - SCOPUS:84979819086
SP - 257
EP - 263
JO - American Society of Clinical Oncology educational book / ASCO. American Society of Clinical Oncology. Meeting
JF - American Society of Clinical Oncology educational book / ASCO. American Society of Clinical Oncology. Meeting
SN - 1548-8756
ER -