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Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) ranks among the ten most common malignancies worldwide. Over half of HNSCC patients experience disease recurrence and/or metastasis, significantly reducing survival rates. The primary risk factors for tumor development in this patient population include tobacco and/or alcohol use, as well as human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Despite well-established clinical, histological, and molecular distinctions between HPV-positive and HPV-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinomas, current treatment approaches remain largely uniform. However, numerous clinical trials are underway to evaluate novel therapeutic strategies that account for the molecular genetic profile of HNSCC. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the diverse biological and molecular subtypes of HNSCC, providing insights into emerging directions for molecularly targeted therapy in this disease.
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