Implement of next-generation sequencing in the researches of head and neck carcinomas

The implement of next-generation sequencing (NGS) provides a new insight into the molecular biology of cancer and has already achieved remarkable achievements in several cancers of human including head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). HNSCC is characterized by its high heterogeneity and malignancy and the biology for its production and development is still not clear. This paper principally reviews the research status of the NGS in HNSCC, which mainly includes key mutated genes, predominant causes, critical pathways, progress of targeted medicine, evaluation of chemoradiation results and prognosis. Key words: Head and Neck Neoplasms; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Molecular Targeted Therapy; next-generation sequencing