title: The role of antiangiogenic agents in the treatment of head and neck cancer.
abstract: Despite progress in the treatment of locally advanced head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC), the prognosis remains dismal and 5-year survival does not exceed 40%. In metastatic and recurrent disease, in spite of the introduction of cetuximab in combination with platinum and fluorouracil, the median overall survival rate remains lower than 11 months. There are many possible reasons for these disappointing results including acquired drug resistance and tumor hypoxia. Angiogenesis plays an important role in HNSCC development and proliferation. Promising preclinical results with antiangiogenic therapies have engendered a number of clinical trials, but so far there have not been any conclusive results on the value of such treatments. This paper aims to review the role of angiogenesis in head and neck cancer and to suggest future perspectives.
authors: Department of Oncology, Santa Croce e Carle General Hospital, Cuneo, Italy. nerinadenaro@gmail.com
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Denaro
authors: E G
authors: EG
authors: Russi
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Colantonio
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Adamo
authors: M C
authors: MC
authors: Merlano
mesh_terms: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality; D000068818:Cetuximab; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068818:Cetuximab