Head and neck carcinomas have been associated with poor prognosis. Recent studies have highlighted the role of claudins’ expression in tumors throughout the body, and their prognostic and therapeutic role. Understanding the role of claudins and how their expression affects the progression of carcinomas in the head and neck region may allow for advances in the prognosis and management of this type of cancer. Several studies have highlighted the aberrant expression of the proteins in carcinomas in this region. Specifically, the overexpression of claudin-1 and downregulation of claudins-4, -7, and -17 have been linked with poor survival in oral squamous cell carcinoma patients. In laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma, increased levels of claudins-1 and reduced levels of claudins-3, -8, and -11 have been linked with poor outcomes. Targeting these proteins has shown promising outcomes as therapeutic in preclinical studies. However, studies remain extremely limited in nasal and hypopharyngeal carcinomas. In this review, we survey the available literature describing the aberrant expression of various claudins in carcinomas in this region, while highlighting their potential prognostic and therapeutic value. Then, we describe some molecular mechanisms involved in the aberrant expression of claudins and how they can be utilized as therapeutic targets.
头颈部癌的预后通常较差。近期研究揭示了紧密连接蛋白在全身各部位肿瘤中的表达作用及其预后和治疗意义。深入理解紧密连接蛋白的功能及其表达如何影响头颈部癌的进展，可能为这类癌症的预后判断和治疗管理带来突破。多项研究表明该区域癌组织中存在紧密连接蛋白的异常表达：在口腔鳞状细胞癌中，claudin-1的过表达及claudin-4、-7、-17的低表达与患者不良生存率相关；而在喉鳞状细胞癌中，claudin-1水平升高与claudin-3、-8、-11水平降低均提示预后不良。临床前研究显示，靶向这些蛋白的治疗策略具有良好前景。然而，目前针对鼻腔癌和下咽癌的相关研究仍极为有限。本文综述了现有文献中关于该区域癌组织中各类紧密连接蛋白异常表达的报道，着重探讨其潜在的预后价值与治疗意义，并进一步阐述导致紧密连接蛋白异常表达的分子机制及其作为治疗靶点的应用前景。
肿瘤(癌症)患者之家