Projects & Grants
| Subtype specification in HPV-related HNSCC in epigenetic context | |
|---|---|
| Project Id | SGS07/LF/2026 |
| Main solver | Mgr. Adéla HARAZIMOVÁ |
| Period | 1/2026 - 12/2026 |
| Provider | Specifický VŠ výzkum |
| State | solved |
| Anotation | Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a group of malignancies arising from squamous cells of the upper aerodigestive tract and represents a major global health burden as the 7th most common cancer (Barsouk et al., 2023). Its behaviour is unpredictable, with complex causes, late detection and poor survival outcomes (Lim et al., 2024). Smoking, alcohol and HPV infection are major risks, yet HNSCC also appears in younger individuals without these factors (Amaral et al., 2022; Rothenberg et al., 2012). HPV-positive and HPV-negative tumours differ markedly, and molecular diversity extends beyond HPV itself (Camuzi et al., 2021). Perineural invasion (PNI), a multistep interaction between tumour cells and nerves, drives disease progression and brings the topic into neuro-oncological territory (Tao et al., 2025). HNSCC is strongly influenced by epigenetic regulation. DNA methylation, the most frequent epigenetic change, can silence genes via promoter hypermethylation and act as a marker of inactivated tumour suppressors (Lim et al., 2024). Tumour types display distinct promoter-methylation patterns, enabling recognition of cancer-specific hypermethylation signatures. Viral infections can trigger abnormal methylation and genomic instability, promoting malignant transformation. Differences in methylation linked to HPV status reveal specific CpG profiles (Anayanis, Schlecht and Belbin, 2014), suggesting a measurable effect of infection on HNSCC development. Targeted investigation of DNA methyltransferases and TET enzymes in relation to PNI and HPV status may uncover new prognostic biomarkers and guide future therapeutic strategies. |
| Total Costs | 294 250 CZK |
