title: Novel therapeutic targets in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.
abstract: The treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) has recently witnessed the introduction of molecularly targeted agents based on disease biology, target discovery, and validation. One class of agents, the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors, is currently in phase III trials. There are multiple processes, however, that appear to be suitable for targeted therapy beyond EGFR. These include signal transduction, cell cycle control, prostaglandin synthesis, protein degradation, hypoxia, and angiogenesis. These systems and specific protein targets will be reviewed in detail with emphasis on promising preclinical and early clinical evidence of activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637-1470, USA. ecohen@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu
authors.forename: Ezra E W
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Cohen
mesh_terms: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000628:therapy*; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D051793:Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1; D051795:Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D061988:Proteasome Inhibitors; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C497442:HIF1A protein, human; D051793:Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1; D051795:Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D061988:Proteasome Inhibitors; D014157:Transcription Factors