The Regulation of Lymph Node Pre-Metastatic Niche Formation in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Chen Hu; Qiang Huang; Qing Sun

doi:10.3389/fonc.2022.852611

The Regulation of Lymph Node Pre-Metastatic Niche Formation in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Front Oncol. 2022 Apr 27:12:852611. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2022.852611. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Chen Hu^{1

2}, Qiang Huang², Qing Sun¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Otorhinolaryngology, QingPu Branch of Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
² Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.

Abstract

In many distinct forms of malignancies, there is a close relationship between lymph node (LN) metastases and further dissemination to distant organs, and this is a critical prognostic factor. At the beginning of the process, the original tumor secretes soluble substances or releases extracellular vesicles (EVs) that are carried through lymphatic channels to draining (sentinel) LN. The tumor-derived factors then drive LN remodeling. These significant alterations occur prior to the emergence of the first metastatic cell, bringing about the development of a pre-metastatic niche that allows metastatic cells to survive and thrive. In this review, we discuss current information available about the regulation of lymph node pre-metastatic niche in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), and the role of EVs in forming the pre-metastatic niche.

Keywords: extracellular vesicles; head and neck squamous cell carcinoma; lymphangiogenesis; pre-metastatic niche; prognosis.

Publication types

Review