Epigenetic regulation of head and neck cancer by microRNAs

Head and neck cancer (HNC), comprising a diverse range of cancer subtypes that stem from the head and neck region, is usually aggressive, portrays significant genetic complexity, and is difficult to treat. Multifocality, relapses, and resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy are the key challenges in ameliorating prognostic outcomes. Epigenetic changes, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, chromatin remodeling, and posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression by noncoding RNAs, play a significant role in HNC’s development, progression, and metastasis. There has been extensive research in recent years focusing on the aberrations in gene expression due to the influence of microRNAs. Ongoing efforts are to utilize them as diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets in HNC. In this chapter, we aim to summarize the epigenetic landscape, specifically the effects of miRNA-mediated regulation of gene expression in the context of HNC.