Abstract:
Head and neck cancers include cancers that originate from a variety of locations. These
include the mouth, nasal cavity, throat, sinuses, and salivary glands. These cancers are the sixth most
diagnosed cancers worldwide. Due to the tissues they arise from, they are collectively named head
and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). The most important risk factors for head and neck
cancers are infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), tobacco use and alcohol consumption. The
genetic basis behind the development and progression of HNSCC includes aberrant non-coding RNA
levels. However, one of the most important differences between healthy tissue and HNSCC tissue is
changes in the alternative splicing of genes that play a vital role in processes that can be described as
the hallmarks of cancer. These changes in the expression profile of alternately spliced mRNA give rise
to various protein isoforms. These protein isoforms, alternate methylation of proteins, and changes
in the transcription of non-coding RNAs (ncRNA) can be used as diagnostic or prognostic markers
and as targets for the development of new therapeutic agents. This review aims to describe changes
in alternative splicing and ncRNA patterns that contribute to the development and progression of
HNSCC. It will also review the use of the changes in gene expression as biomarkers or as the basis
for the development of new therapies.
