# Cellular Senescence as a Risk Factor in Head and Neck Cancer—Diagnostic and Therapeutic Perspective

## TL;DR

This review explores how cellular aging, or senescence, contributes to head and neck cancer and highlights its potential for new diagnostic and treatment strategies.

## Contribution

The paper offers a new perspective on the role of cellular senescence in head and neck cancer development and therapy.

## Key findings

- Cellular senescence contributes to carcinogenesis through the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP).
- Senescence mechanisms are linked to head and neck cancer development and may influence prognosis and treatment.
- The review suggests further studies on senescence as a target for cancer prevention and therapy.

## Abstract

Head and neck cancer (HNC) affects nearly 1 million people every year. While the risk factors are widely known (e.g., tobacco, alcohol, or human papilloma virus (HPV) infections), the mechanisms underlying them are not yet fully understood. One of the postulated mechanisms associated with HNC is cellular senescence, a process triggered by stress and aging. The primary characteristic of senescent cells is the secretion of various factors, collectively referred to as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). It leads to various responses of the organism and contributes to carcinogenesis. In this review, we compile current information on senescence mechanisms in HNC development and senescence-associated cancer therapies. This article presents a new perspective on the approach to HNC treatment and suggests a way for further studies on the subject.

Head and neck cancer (HNC) affects nearly 1 million people every year. The main risk factors include tobacco, alcohol, or human papilloma virus (HPV) viral infections, which contribute to HNC development through various, mostly unknown, mechanisms. One of these postulated mechanisms is cellular senescence. This biological aging-associated process is responsible not only for the arrest of cellular growth and division but also mediates the modulation of cell metabolism and secretory phenotype. Consequently, it may play a crucial role in carcinogenesis, which makes it an interesting topic in the context of cancer development, prognosis, prevention, and therapy. This review focuses on the current state of knowledge regarding all aspects of the association between cellular senescence and head and neck cancer.