Fibroblast growth factor receptor signaling in head and neck tumors: molecular pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets.

Authors

Luqin Tang, Hanqi Xia, Zhu Zheng, Yuxin Cheng, Zhixuan Huang, Tai Ma

Published in

Clinical & translational oncology : official publication of the Federation of Spanish Oncology Societies and of the National Cancer Institute of Mexico. Jul 31, 2026. Epub Jul 31, 2026.

Abstract

Physiologically, the FGFR signaling is essential for cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, and angiogenesis; yet its abnormal activation-via gene amplification, mutation, fusion, or overexpression-drives the development and progression of head and neck tumors. Although small‑molecule FGFR inhibitors have shown preliminary efficacy in some head and neck tumors, challenges such as molecular heterogeneity across tumor subtypes, drug resistance, and limited clinical evidence still hinder the precise application of targeted therapy. This review systematically summarizes the molecular mechanisms, clinicopathological correlations, and current targeted therapy status of the FGFR signaling pathway in nasopharyngeal carcinoma, salivary gland carcinoma, oral squamous cell carcinoma, thyroid carcinoma, laryngeal carcinoma, and ameloblastoma. It outlines a comprehensive framework of "genetic alterations-mechanistic regulation-clinical application" and aims to provide a theoretical reference for precision therapy of head and neck tumors.

PMID:
42536330
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 31 Jul 2026.

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