Delta Np63 in squamous cell carcinoma: defining the oncogenic routes affecting epigenetic landscape and tumour microenvironment

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a treatment-refractory tumour which arises from the epithelium of diverse anatomical sites such as oesophagus, head and neck, lung and skin. Accumulating evidence has revealed a number of genomic, clinical and molecular features commonly observed in SCC of distinct origins. Some of these genetic events culminate in fostering the activity of Delta Np63, a potent oncogene which exerts its pro-tumourigenic effects by regulating specific transcriptional programmes to sustain malignant cell proliferation and survival. In this review, we will describe the genetic and epigenetic determinants underlying Delta Np63 oncogenic activities in SCC, and discuss some relevant transcriptional effectors of Delta Np63, emphasizing their impact in modulating the crosstalk between tumour cells and tumour microenvironment (TME).