EGFR-targeted therapeutics: focus on SCCHN and NSCLC.
Cancers of the head and neck and of the lung are associated with high morbidity and mortality rates that have remained relatively unchanged for more than 3 decades, despite advances in radiation therapies and chemotherapies over the same time. It is generally believed that the efficacy of standard therapy regimens has reached a plateau for these cancers. The discovery of specific aberrant molecular signaling pathways in solid tumors has afforded promising new directions for newer "targeted" cancer therapeutics. Among these, the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) shows promise as a therapeutic target. Clinical studies have demonstrated that this targeted approach provides clinically meaningful benefit. This article reviews EGFR-targeted therapies in use and in development, with a focus on the role of EGFR in the pathophysiology of head and neck and lung cancer, and new concepts being investigated to improve outcomes with these agents.
Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Martin
M
Sattler
Oyewale
O
Abidoye
Ravi
R
Salgia
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000068818:Cetuximab; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; D000077156:Gefitinib; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077341:Lapatinib; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000077544:Panitumumab; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011799:Quinazolines; D000077341:Lapatinib; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D000077544:Panitumumab; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D000068818:Cetuximab; D000077156:Gefitinib