title: Advances in the management of recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.
abstract: Most patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) undergo definitive therapy, yet locoregional recurrence and metastasis are common. Most patients ultimately require systemic treatment. Platinum/5-fluorouracil (5-FU) has been the standard of care for patients with good performance status (median survival, 6-8 months). Cetuximab, a monoclonal antibody against epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), significantly improved median survival in combination with platinum/5-FU compared with chemotherapy alone, establishing it as a new standard for patients with recurrent or metastatic disease. Cetuximab is also active in platinum-refractory disease. Ongoing trials are exploring other EGFR inhibitors as well as the use of biologic agents in combination (eg, cetuximab + bevacizumab). Predictive biomarkers may help personalize therapy for SCCHN, and it is unclear whether the favorable prognostic effect of p16 or human papillomavirus in locally advanced oropharyngeal cancer is relevant for advanced disease.
authors: Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. dmshin@emory.edu
authors: Dong M
authors: DM
authors: Shin
authors: Fadlo R
authors: FR
authors: Khuri
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D000068818:Cetuximab; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D057285:Precision Medicine; D000077195:Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; C545242:panitunumab; D000068818:Cetuximab