Prognostic and predictive biomarkers in head and neck cancer: something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue and a sixpence in your shoe

Sapna Balgobind; Veronica K Y Cheung; Peter Luk; Tsu-Hui Hubert Low; James Wykes; Raymond Wu; Jenny Lee; Sydney Ch'ng; Carsten E Palme; Jonathan R Clark; Ruta Gupta

doi:10.1016/j.pathol.2023.11.005

Prognostic and predictive biomarkers in head and neck cancer: something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue and a sixpence in your shoe

Pathology. 2024 Mar;56(2):170-185. doi: 10.1016/j.pathol.2023.11.005. Epub 2023 Dec 19.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, NSW Health Pathology, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: Sapna.Balgobind@health.nsw.gov.au.
² Department of Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, NSW Health Pathology, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
³ Department of Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, NSW Health Pathology, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, Central Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
⁴ Faculty of Medicine and Health, Central Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, Camperdown, NSW, Australia; Sydney Facial Nerve Service, Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.
⁵ Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.
⁶ Faculty of Medicine and Health, Central Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Radiation Oncology, Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.
⁷ Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Melanoma Institute Australia, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.
⁸ Faculty of Medicine and Health, Central Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.

PMID: 38218691
DOI: 10.1016/j.pathol.2023.11.005

Abstract

A biomarker is a measurable indicator of biological or pathological processes or the response to an exposure or intervention and is used to guide management decisions. In head and neck pathology, biomarkers are assessed by histological criteria and immunohistochemical and molecular studies. Surgical resection remains the mainstay of management of many head and neck malignancies. Adjuvant radiotherapy and/or systemic therapy may be administered depending on the presence of adverse prognostic factors identified on histopathological or immunohistochemical examination. In this review, we outline the clinically relevant prognostic and predictive factors in head and neck malignancies including conventionally recognised factors such as tumour size, depth of invasion, lymphovascular and perineural invasion and margin status as well as novel evolving factors such as recurrent genetic rearrangements and assessment of immune checkpoints. Practical issues are discussed to assist with recognising and reporting of these factors. A summary of useful tools such as structured pathology report formats is also included to assist with comprehensive reporting of all clinically relevant parameters, minimise risk and improve workflow efficiencies.

Keywords: Biomarker; cutaneous; genetic changes; head and neck cancer; histology; immunohistochemistry; mucosal; predictive factors; prognostic factors; salivary gland; sinonasal; squamous cell carcinoma.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Biomarkers
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* / pathology
Head and Neck Neoplasms* / diagnosis
Humans
Prognosis
Retrospective Studies
Shoes

Substances

Biomarkers