title: Targeting epidermal growth factor receptor in head and neck cancer.
abstract: It is well known that growth factors play an important role in normal cell proliferation by means of stimulation of growth factor receptors located on the surface of cells. Tumor cells express high levels of growth factor receptors that can theoretically serve as therapeutic targets in cancer treatment. Tyrosine kinase (type 1) growth factor receptors include the family of erbB receptors. The most extensively studied receptor in the erbB family is the human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), also known as erbB1. Studies have shown that overexpression of EGFR is involved in the development and progression of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Blocking this receptor in HNSCC cell lines and animal models inhibits tumor growth. Strategies have been developed to target EGFR, including monoclonal antibodies, tyrosine kinase-specific inhibitors, ligand-linked immunotoxins, and antisense approaches. Laboratory studies and clinical trials are under way to explore the safety and efficacy of these various approaches in a variety of cancers, including HNSCC. Preliminary results from early phase clinical trials are encouraging and may lead to the incorporation of these EGFR targeting strategies into the management of HNSCC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 200 Lothrop Street, Suite 500, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
authors.forename: Allison Carter
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Ford
authors.forename: Jennifer Rubin
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Grandis
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D000922:Immunotoxins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008024:Ligands; D020319:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides, Antisense / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D000922:Immunotoxins; D008024:Ligands; D020319:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides, Antisense; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases