EGFR inhibition as a therapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Improved understanding of disease biology of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) with nearly universal expression of EGFR has led to the introduction of targeted therapies to interrupt signalling of this negative prognostic marker.


OBJECTIVE
We performed a literature review on the mechanisms and efficacy of anti-EGFR antibodies and EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors in patients with locally advanced or recurrent/metastatic HNSCC.


CONCLUSIONS
Clinical trials in HNSCC have administered EGFR directed drugs as single agents, in combination with chemotherapy or radiotherapy and demonstrated a good safety profile with antitumour activity in a subgroup of patients. The biology of responsiveness is still unclear, although there is growing evidence of an association of skin toxicity or presence of shorter EGFR intron 1 cytosine-adenine repeats with positive outcome.
Loeffler-Ragg
Judith
J
Innsbruck Medical University, Department of Internal Medicine, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
Schwentner
Ilona
I
Sprinzl
Georg M
GM
Zwierzina
Heinz
H
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000068818:Cetuximab; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; D000077156:Gefitinib; D018628:Gene Dosage; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077341:Lapatinib; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015398:Signal Transduction
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011799:Quinazolines; D000077341:Lapatinib; C501466:nimotuzumab; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D000068818:Cetuximab; D000077156:Gefitinib