Basic Science Review

Molecular biology of adenoid cystic carcinoma

  1. Jia Liu MHS1,†,
  2. Chunbo Shao PhD2,†,
  3. Marietta L. Tan MD2,
  4. David Mu MS3,
  5. Robert L. Ferris MD, PhD4,
  6. Patrick K. Ha MD2,5,*

Article first published online: 17 OCT 2011

DOI: 10.1002/hed.21849

Additional Information

How to Cite

Liu, J., Shao, C., Tan, M. L., Mu, D., Ferris, R. L., Ha, P. K. (2011), Molecular biology of adenoid cystic carcinoma. Head Neck. doi: 10.1002/hed.21849

Author Information

  1. 1

    University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  2. 2

    Johns Hopkins Department of Otolaryngology, Baltimore, Maryland

  3. 3

    Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland

  4. 4

    University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Department of Otolaryngology, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  5. 5

    Milton J Dance Jr. Head and Neck Center at the Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland

  1. †

    Jia Liu and Chunbo Shao contributed equally to this work.

*Johns Hopkins Department of Otolaryngology, Baltimore, Maryland

Publication History

  1. Article first published online: 17 OCT 2011
  2. Manuscript Accepted: 19 MAY 2011

Funded by

  • Dr. Patrick Ha is supported by the National Institutes of Health, NIDCR K08-DE018463

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Keywords:

  • molecular;
  • genetics;
  • DNA;
  • adenoid cystic carcinoma

Abstract

Background

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is an unusual salivary gland malignancy that remains poorly understood. Standard treatment, including surgery with postoperative radiation therapy, has attained reasonable local control rates, but the propensity for distant metastases has limited any improvement in survival over time. Our understanding of the molecular mechanisms driving ACC is quite rudimentary, due to the infrequent nature of its occurrence.

Methods

An extensive literature review was performed on salivary gland ACCs and basic science research findings.

Results

This review highlights many findings that are emerging about the carcinogenesis of ACC including cytogenetics, tumor suppressor genes, oncogenes, epigenetic alterations, mitochondrial alterations, and biomarker studies.

Conclusion

Although there have been many discoveries, much still remains unknown about this rare malignancy. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2011

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