Stem cells in squamous head and neck cancer

The initiation and metastasis of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) and other cancers have recently been related to the presence of cancer stem cells (CSC). CSC are cancer initiating, sustaining and are mostly quiescent. Specific markers that vary considerably depending on tumor type or tissue of origin characterize putative CSC. Compared to the bulk tumor mass, CSC are less sensitive to chemo- and radiotherapy and may also have low immunogenicity. Therapeutic targeting of CSC may improve clinical outcome of HNSCC which has two distinct etiologies: infection of epithelial stem cells by high-risk types of the human papillomavirus, or long-term tobacco and alcohol abuse. Recent knowledge on the role of CSC in HNSCC is reviewed and where necessary parallels to CSC of other origin are drawn to give a more comprehensive picture.