Broseghini Elisabetta, Carosi Francesca, Berti Mirea, Compagno Samuele, Ghelardini Anna, Fermi Matteo, Querzoli Giulia, Filippini Daria Maria
IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy.
Division of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Sant'Orsola Malpighi, 40138 Bologna, Italy.
Cancers (Basel). 2025 Feb 15;17(4):660. doi: 10.3390/cancers17040660.
: Salivary gland cancers (SGCs) are a rare and heterogeneous group of malignancies, accounting for approximately 5% of head and neck cancers. Despite their rarity, advances in molecular profiling have revealed a variety of genetic and molecular pathways, many of which are potentially actionable with targeted therapies. : We reviewed the current literature involving the molecular landscape of SGCs, encompassing the diagnostic and prognostic value of tissue and liquid biomarkers and the potential therapeutic targets across various histological subtypes. : Our review highlights key molecular diagnostic findings such as the fusion in mucoepidermoid carcinoma and rearrangements in adenoid cystic carcinoma, but also targetable alterations such as HER2 and AR positivity in salivary duct carcinoma and fusion in secretory carcinoma. Liquid biopsy (both blood- or salivary-based), including circulating tumor DNA, circulating tumor cells, and miRNAs, offers novel, noninvasive approaches for disease monitoring and personalized treatment. Emerging therapies such as HER2 inhibitors, androgen deprivation therapy, and TRK inhibitors underscore the shift towards precision oncology in managing these malignancies. : Despite promising advances, challenges remain due to the rarity and phenotypic heterogeneity of SGCs, emphasizing the need for molecularly stratified clinical trials. This review presents an overview of tissue and liquid biomarkers, focusing on molecular targets and therapeutic innovations that lay the foundation for improved diagnostic and treatment strategies for SGCs.
涎腺癌（SGCs）是一类罕见且异质性的恶性肿瘤，约占头颈癌的5%。尽管其罕见，但分子谱分析的进展揭示了多种遗传和分子途径，其中许多途径可能通过靶向治疗发挥作用。我们回顾了当前涉及涎腺癌分子格局的文献，包括组织和液体生物标志物的诊断和预后价值以及各种组织学亚型的潜在治疗靶点。我们的综述强调了关键的分子诊断发现，如黏液表皮样癌中的 融合和腺样囊性癌中的 重排，以及可靶向改变，如涎腺导管癌中的HER2和AR阳性以及分泌性癌中的 融合。液体活检（基于血液或唾液），包括循环肿瘤DNA、循环肿瘤细胞和微小RNA，为疾病监测和个性化治疗提供了新的非侵入性方法。HER2抑制剂、雄激素剥夺疗法和TRK抑制剂等新兴疗法突显了在管理这些恶性肿瘤方面向精准肿瘤学的转变。尽管取得了有前景的进展，但由于涎腺癌的罕见性和表型异质性，挑战仍然存在，这强调了进行分子分层临床试验的必要性。本综述概述了组织和液体生物标志物，重点关注分子靶点和治疗创新，这些为改善涎腺癌的诊断和治疗策略奠定了基础。
