Experimental head and neck oncology

Experimental studies in head and neck oncology have made use of recent technologic advances. The development of techniques in molecular biology, genetics, and cell culturing and refinements in protein characterization provide the opportunity to explore diverse concepts, each potentially relevant to disease progression. These advances, in turn, lead to new treatment approaches that use tumor differentiation agents, cytokines, and biologic response modifiers. The close integration we are beginning to see between physician-generated clinical acumen and basic science expertise will surely dominate our coming approaches to treating the patient with head and neck cancer.