Integrative diagnostic approach to salivary gland tumors: from clinical evaluation to molecularly targeted therapy
Araújo ALD, Lima-Souzade Lima-Souza RA, Mariano FV, Agaimy A, Vander Poorten V, Stenman G, Piazza C, Simpson R, Vargas PA, Santos-Silva AR, de Castro Júnior G, Ferrarotto R, Skálová A, Ferlito A, Kowalski LP (2025)
Publication Type: Journal article, Review article
Publication year: 2025
Journal
DOI: 10.1007/s00428-025-04267-3
Abstract
Diagnosing salivary gland tumors remains challenging due to their clinical and biological complexity, histopathologic diversity, and overlapping morphology. Over the last few years, molecular profiling has emerged as a key tool for improving tumor classification, shedding light on the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying tumors pathogenesis. This review provides a comprehensive exploration of the clinical application of molecular profiling in the decision to indicate targeted therapy for salivary gland neoplasm. The increasing adoption of innovative biological markers associated with Next-Generation Sequencing highlights the potential of molecular diagnostic approaches as well as the prediction of therapeutic response. While immunohistochemistry remains a reliable and widely accessible ancillary tool for characterizing specific salivary gland tumors subtypes, additional validation using in situ hybridization, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction or Next-Generation Sequencing may enhance diagnostic accuracy and facilitate the identification of actionable molecular alterations in the appropriate clinical and morphological context. This integrated diagnostic approach strengthens clinical decision-making and opens new avenues for precision-targeted therapy in the management of salivary gland tumors. As molecular insights continue to expand, the integration of traditional and modern tools will be critical to improving diagnostic accuracy, prognostic stratification, and treatment outcomes for patients with salivary gland tumors.
Authors with CRIS profile
Involved external institutions
Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP) / University of Campinas
Brazil (BR)
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KUL) / Catholic University of Leuven
Belgium (BE)
University of São Paulo / Universidade de São Paulo (USP)
Brazil (BR)
Univerzita Karlova v Praze / Charles University in Prague
Czech Republic (CZ)
Sahlgrenska University Hospital / Sahlgrenska Universitetssjukhuset
Sweden (SE)
International Head and Neck Scientific Group
Germany (DE)
University of Calgary
Canada (CA)
Brazil (BR)
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KUL) / Catholic University of Leuven
Belgium (BE)
University of São Paulo / Universidade de São Paulo (USP)
Brazil (BR)
Univerzita Karlova v Praze / Charles University in Prague
Czech Republic (CZ)
Sahlgrenska University Hospital / Sahlgrenska Universitetssjukhuset
Sweden (SE)
International Head and Neck Scientific Group
Germany (DE)
University of Calgary
Canada (CA)
How to cite
APA:
Araújo, A.L.D., Lima-Souzade Lima-Souza, R.A., Mariano, F.V., Agaimy, A., Vander Poorten, V., Stenman, G.,... Kowalski, L.P. (2025). Integrative diagnostic approach to salivary gland tumors: from clinical evaluation to molecularly targeted therapy. Virchows Archiv. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00428-025-04267-3
MLA:
Araújo, Anna Luíza Damaceno, et al. "Integrative diagnostic approach to salivary gland tumors: from clinical evaluation to molecularly targeted therapy." Virchows Archiv (2025).
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