Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: a potential therapeutic target for the Wnt signaling pathway

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the head and neck region accounts for 3% of all tumors worldwide. The incidence is higher in men, with most carcinomas found in the oral cavity. At the point of initial diagnosis, distant metastases are rare. The Wnt signaling pathway is critically involved in cell development and stemness and has been associated with SCC. Understanding precisely how Wnt signaling regulates SCC progression and how it can, therefore, be modulated for the therapeutic benefit has enormous potential in the treatment of head and neck SCC. In this review, we will describe the underlying mechanisms of Wnt signaling and outline how Wnt signaling controls cellular processes both in homeostasis and in the development and progression of SCC.