title: New drug therapy for squamous carcinoma of the head and neck.
abstract: The identification of new active agents for the treatment of squamous carcinoma of the head and neck remains a high priority for clinical investigators. For the past several years a number of investigational drugs have demonstrated activity in patients with recurrent or metastatic disease. Included are the following agents: gemcitabine, vinorelbine, paclitaxel, docetaxel, and ifosfamide. Further studies are underway to investigate the role of these agents in combination regimens. Randomized phase III trials comparing promising new regimens to standard therapy with methotrexate or cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil will be necessary.
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Oncology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232-5536, USA.
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Murphy
mesh_terms: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000145:classification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008870:Microtubules / Q000187:drug effects; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012176:Retinoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016879:Salvage Therapy; D059004:Topoisomerase I Inhibitors; D059005:Topoisomerase II Inhibitors
chemical_list: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D012176:Retinoids; D059004:Topoisomerase I Inhibitors; D059005:Topoisomerase II Inhibitors