Role and Clinical Utility of Cancer/Testis Antigens in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

SIMPLE SUMMARY: In this review, we discuss the roles of cancer/testis antigens in the germline and their contributions to oncogenic cellular processes. Specifically, we focus on their clinical utility in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and consider how cancer/testis antigens differentially expressed in HPV-positive HNSCC might contribute mechanistically to the genesis and clinical characteristics of these cancers. ABSTRACT: Cancer/testis (CT) antigens exhibit selective expression predominantly in immunoprivileged tissues in non-pathological contexts but are aberrantly expressed in diverse cancers. Due to their expression pattern, they have historically been attractive targets for immunotherapies. A growing number of studies implicate CT antigens in almost all hallmarks of cancer, suggesting that they may act as cancer drivers. CT antigens are expressed in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. However, their role in the pathogenesis of these cancers remains poorly studied. Given that CT antigens hold intriguing potential as therapeutic targets and as biomarkers for prognosis and that they can provide novel insights into oncogenic mechanisms, their further study in the context of head and squamous cell carcinoma is warranted.