Comprehensive review of genetic factors contributing to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma development in low‐risk, nontraditional patients

BackgroundThe past 2 decades have seen an increased incidence of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in a nontraditional, low‐risk patient population (ie, ≤45 years of age, no substance use history), owing to a combination of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and individual genetic variation.MethodsArticles positing genetic variants as contributing factors in HNSCC incidence in low‐risk, nontraditional patients were identified using a PubMed search, reviewed in detail, and concisely summarized herein.ResultsRecent data suggest that common polymorphisms in DNA repair enzymes, cell‐cycle control proteins, apoptotic pathway members, and Fanconi anemia‐associated genes likely modulate susceptibility to HNSCC development in low‐risk, nontraditional patients.ConclusionAt present, there is a lack of robust, comprehensive data on genetic drivers of oncogenesis in low‐risk patients and a clear need for further research on genetic alterations underlying the rising incidence of HNSCC in low‐risk, nontraditional patients.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/143606/1/hed25057_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/143606/2/hed25057.pd