Alteration of MMP-2 and -14 expression by imatinib in HPV-positive and -negative squamous cell carcinoma.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is an aggressive epithelial malignancy. It is known to be the most common neoplasm appearing in the upper aerodigestive tract. The poor 5‑year survival rate has remained unchanged in the last decades even though improved techniques in surgery, radiation and chemotherapy have been established.

Chemotherapeutic alteration of β-catenin and c-kit expression by imatinib in p16-positive squamous cell carcinoma compared to HPV-negative HNSCC cells in vitro.

The most common neoplasm arising in the upper aerodigestive tract is head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Tumor growth, invasion and systemic dissemination is a multistep process of dysregulated cellular signaling pathways and an altered cell-cell and cell-matrix interaction. Aberrant Wnt/β-catenin signaling is linked to tumor development and dissemination in several tumor entities.