Biological role of epithelial–mesenchymal-transition-inducing transcription factors in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: A systematic review

•Up-regulation of EMT-TFs promote the progression of HNSCC.•EMT-TFs regulate the expression of epithelial/mesenchymal markers in HNSCC cells.•Blockade of EMT-TFs reverses radio/chemoresistance in HNSCC cells. The aim of this systematic review was to explore the biological functions and mechanisms of epithelial-mesenchymal transition-inducing transcription factors in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma-derived cell lines. In addition, we analyzed the possible usefulness of epithelial-mesenchymal transition-inducing transcription factors as a future therapeutic target. An electronic search was performed in EMBASE, Medline/PubMed, Chinese BioMedical Literature Databases, and Cochrane Collaboration Library. Articles evaluating the relationship between epithelial-mesenchymal transition-inducing transcription factors and the biological behavior of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines were selected for this systematic review. The quality of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) criteria. After application of the previously established inclusion/exclusion criteria, 23 articles were included in the qualitative synthesis. Our study showed that epithelial-mesenchymal transition-inducing transcription factors are essential components during the progression of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas and their overexpression is associated with a greater capacity of dissemination and survival of the tumor and resistance to cancer treatment. The inhibition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition-inducing transcription factors is able to reverse the epithelial-mesenchymal transition process and to increase the sensitivity of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines to radio/chemotherapy. Analysis of the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition-inducing transcription factors for the prediction of prognosis and response to cancer treatment may have a significant clinical impact.