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Big Data in Head and Neck Cancer

  • Head and Neck Cancer (L Licitra, Section Editor)
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Opinion statement

Head and neck cancers can be used as a paradigm for exploring “big data” applications in oncology. Computational strategies derived from big data science hold the promise of shedding new light on the molecular mechanisms driving head and neck cancer pathogenesis, identifying new prognostic and predictive factors, and discovering potential therapeutics against this highly complex disease. Big data strategies integrate robust data input, from radiomics, genomics, and clinical-epidemiological data to deeply describe head and neck cancer characteristics. Thus, big data may advance research generating new knowledge and improve head and neck cancer prognosis supporting clinical decision-making and development of treatment recommendations.

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Correspondence to Carlo Resteghini MD.

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Carlo Resteghini declares that he has no conflict of interest.

Annalisa Trama declares that she has no conflict of interest.

Elio Borgonovi declares that he has no conflict of interest.

Hykel Hosni declares that he has no conflict of interest.

Giovanni Corrao has received research funding through grants from the European Community (EC); the Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA); the Italian Ministry of Education, Universities and Research (MIUR); Novartis; GlaxoSmithKline; Roche; Amgen; and Bristol-Myers Squibb.

Ester Orlandi declares that she has no conflict of interest.

Giuseppina Calareso declares that she has no conflict of interest.

Loris De Cecco has received research funding from the Associazione Italiana Ricerca Cancro (AIRC).

Cesare Piazza declares that he has no conflict of interest.

Luca Mainardi declares that he has no conflict of interest.

Lisa Licitra has received funding (to her institution) for clinical studies and research from AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eisai, Merck Serono, MSD, Novartis, and Roche; has received compensation for service as a consultant/advisor and/or for lectures from AstraZeneca, Bayer, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Boehringer Ingelheim, Debiopharm, Eisai, Merck Serono, MSD, Novartis, Roche, and Sobi; and has received travel coverage for medical meetings from Bayer, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Debiopharm, Merck Serono, MSD, and Sobi.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Head and Neck Cancer

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Resteghini, C., Trama, A., Borgonovi, E. et al. Big Data in Head and Neck Cancer. Curr. Treat. Options in Oncol. 19, 62 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11864-018-0585-2

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