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Zeng et al. Cancer Drug Resist 2024;7:31 Cancer
DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2024.57
Drug Resistance

Review Open Access

Research progress on the role and mechanism of
circular RNA in drug resistance of head and neck

squamous cell carcinoma

2
2
2
1,2
1
2
Hongli Zeng , Junshang Ge , Yi Meng , Qian Wang , Mei Yang , Zhaoyang Zeng , Wei Xiong 2 , Xuyu Zu 1
1
The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang 421001, Hunan, China.
2
NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China.
Correspondence to: Prof. Xuyu Zu, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, No. 69, Chuanshan Road, Hengyang
421001, Hunan, China. E-mail: zuxuyu0108@hotmail.com; Prof. Wei Xiong, NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Cancer
Research Institute, Central South University, No.932, South Lushan Road, Changsha 410078, Hunan, Changsha, Hunan, China. E-
mail: xiongwei@csu.edu.cn
How to cite this article: Zeng H, Ge J, Meng Y, Wang Q, Yang M, Zeng Z, Xiong W, Zu X. Research progress on the role and
mechanism of circular RNA in drug resistance of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Cancer Drug Resist 2024;7:31. https://
dx.doi.org/10.20517/cdr.2024.57
Received: 6 May 2024 First Decision: 24 Jun 2024 Revised: 23 Jul 2024 Accepted: 31 Jul 2024 Published: 2 Sep 2024

Academic Editor: Godefridus J. Peters Copy Editor: Dong-Li Li Production Editor: Dong-Li Li

Abstract
Drug resistance in tumors constitutes a significant obstacle to tumor therapy. Head and neck squamous cell
carcinoma (HNSCC) presents a major challenge due to its deep anatomical location, limited space, and complex
structure. These factors complicate surgical procedures and hinder the effectiveness of chemoradiotherapy,
leading to poor prognosis and reduced quality of life. However, there is hope in the form of circular RNAs
(circRNAs), non-coding RNA molecules with a closed-loop structure that exhibits superior stability and resistance
to degradation compared to linear RNAs. Recent advances in high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics
technology revealed that circRNAs participate in tumor proliferation, invasion, migration, and drug resistance. This
review aims to summarize current research progress on the involvement of circRNAs in drug resistance of HNSCC
and provide valuable insights for the prevention and mitigation of drug resistance in HNSCC.

Keywords: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), circular RNAs (circRNAs), drug resistance

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