Candidate apoptotic and DNA repair gene approach confirms involvement of ERCC1, ERCC5, TP53 and MDM2 in radiation-induced toxicity in head and neck cancer

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) often present as a locally advanced disease. Radiotherapy (RT) or concurrent cisplatin-based chemoradiotherapy (chemoRT) currently represent the standard of care for these patients [1]. Continuous improvement in RT modalities and dose escalation has led to higher tumor response rates and curability. However, frequent treatment-induced toxicity remains a limiting factor. If early toxicity can lead to treatment protraction and potential lack of efficacy, late toxicity is sometimes responsible for severe functional sequelae that may durably impair the quality of life.

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