Int J Stomatol

Int J Stomatol ›› 2026, Vol. 53 ›› Issue (6): 874-883.doi: 10.7518/gjkq.2026606

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Functional analysis of enhancer of zeste homolog 2 in the pathogenesis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and investigation of the targeted therapeutic value

Wei Ding(),Haifen Feng,Yidi Zhang,Lu Jiang,Xiaobo Luo()   

  1. State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit of Oral Carcinogenesis and Management & Dept. of Oral Medicine, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
  • Received:2025-04-24 Revised:2026-01-22 Online:2026-11-01 Published:2026-10-29
  • Contact: Xiaobo Luo E-mail:dw_vivian99@163.com;xiaobol@scu.edu.cn
  • Supported by:
    National Natural Science Foundation of China(82272899)

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Abstract:

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common malignant cancer globally and is associated with poor clinical outcomes. Epigenetic regulation plays a critical role in modulating the pathogenesis and progression of HNSCC. Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), a core catalytic subunit of the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), is significantly upregulated in HNSCC and contributes to HNSCC progression by modulating such as me-tabolic reprogramming, growth, proliferation, invasion, metastasis, immune evasion, and chemoresistance. Therefore, EZH2 is considered a highly promising therapeutic target, and several ongoing clinical trials are currently investigating its translational potential. This review comprehensively summarizes the functional roles of EZH2 in HNSCC and explores the therapeutic potential of EZH2-specific inhibitors, aiming to provide novel theoretical insights to improve clinical outcomes of HNSCC patients.

Key words: enhancer of zeste homolog 2, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, invasion and metastasis, immune evasion, metabolic reprogramming, chemotherapeutic resistance

CLC Number: 

  • R739.8

TrendMD: 

Fig 1

The structure and the core function of EZH2"

Fig 2

The biological functions of EZH2 in the progression of HNSCC"

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