title: Present and Future of EGFR Inhibitors for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer.
abstract: Although EGFR is expressed at high levels in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) and mutations are extremely rare, monotherapy with EGFR inhibitors has shown limited success. The PI3kinase/Akt pathway is responsible for cellular survival, and inhibition of phosphatidylinositol (PI) synthesis has antiproliferative, anti-invasive, and antiangiogenesis effects on HNSCC. Molecular crosstalk has been observed between EGFR and IGF1R signaling through the PI3kinase/Akt pathway in HNSCC, as has molecular crosstalk between the NFκB and STAT3 signaling pathways. Therefore, the combination of an EGFR antagonist with an agent that inhibits the activation of both Akt and NFκB may overcome resistance to EGFR antagonists in HNSCC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Ohtawara Red Cross Hospital, 2-7-3, Sumiyoshi-cho, Ohtawara City, Tochigi 324-8686, Japan.
authors.forename: Yuh
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Baba
authors.forename: Masato
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fujii
authors.forename: Yutaka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tokumaru
authors.forename: Yasumasa
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kato