[Role of targeted therapy in the treatment of squamous cell head and neck cancer].
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is highly expressed in head and neck cancer (HNC). Since EGFR has a large extracellular ligand binding as well as an intracellular tyrosine kinase domain, anti-EGFR therapy may involve anti-ligand binding domain antibody- or tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapies. Phase II-III studies confirmed the efficacy of anti-EGFR antibody therapy in case of squamous cell HNC. In combination with irradiation, anti-EGFR antibody therapy improved survival of locally advanced HNC patients. In case of recurrent or metastatic HNC, anti-EGFR antibody therapy in combination with chemotherapy significantly increased remission rate without increasing toxicity. Although studies on EGFR kinase inhibitors in HNC are in early phase, preliminary data are encouraging.
Gyergyay
Fruzsina
F
Országos Onkológiai Intézet, Budapest. gyergyai@oncol.hu
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000556:secondary; D000068818:Cetuximab; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000187:drug effects*; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; D000077156:Gefitinib; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D011799:Quinazolines; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D000068818:Cetuximab; D000077156:Gefitinib