Targeting DNA damage response in head and neck cancers through abrogation of cell cycle checkpoints.
Jessica M MolkentineDavid P MolkentineKathleen A BridgesTongxin XieLiangpeng YangAakash ShethTimothy P HeffernanDavid A ClumpAlma Z FaustRobert L FerrisJeffrey N MyersMitchell J FrederickKathryn A MasonRaymond E MeynCurtis R PickeringHeath D SkinnerPublished in: International journal of radiation biology (2020)
Niraparib effectively radiosensitizes HNSCCs with a greater benefit seen in HPV(-). HPV status also plays a role in response to MK-8776 or MK-1775 when combined with niraparib due to differences in DNA repair mechanisms. This study suggests that using cell cycle abrogators in combination with PARP inhibitors may be a beneficial treatment option in HNSCC, but also emphasizes the importance of HPV status when considering effective treatment strategies.