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

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.