title: Oropharyngeal cancers: relationship between epidermal growth factor receptor alterations and human papillomavirus status.
abstract: High-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV), particularly type 16, is now recognised as a causative agent in a subset of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCCs). These tumours are on the increase and generally have a better prognosis than their HPV negative counterparts. This raises the question of de escalation therapy to reduce long term consequences in a younger cohort of patients with a long life expectancy. Several clinical trials with anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) therapies, particularly cetuximab, are ongoing. Few data exist on the relationship between EGFR and HPV induced oropharyngeal cancers. We summarise the main studies in relation to EGFR alterations (gene copy number, protein expression and mutations) and the impact on prognosis of HPV positive tumours that express high levels of EGFR. We also discuss the opportunity of targeting this pathway in light of recent studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Institut de Cancérologie Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France. Electronic address: haitham.mirghani@gustaveroussy.fr.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mirghani
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Institut de Cancérologie Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France. Electronic address: furratamen@gmail.com.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Amen
authors.affiliation: Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine University Pierre et Marie Curie Paris VI and Hospital Tenon Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, France. Electronic address: Frederiquemoreau@gmail.com.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Moreau
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Institut de Cancérologie Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France. Electronic address: Guiguay.joel@gustaveroussy.fr.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Guigay
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Institut de Cancérologie Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France. Electronic address: Dana.hartl@gustaveroussy.fr.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Hartl
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine University Pierre et Marie Curie Paris VI and Hospital Tenon Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, France. Electronic address: jean.lacau@tnn.aphp.fr.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lacau St Guily
mesh_terms: D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology; D000068818:Cetuximab; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D052162:Human papillomavirus 16 / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D000068818:Cetuximab
keywords: Cetuximab; Epidermal growth factor receptor; Epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors; Human papillomavirus; Oropharyngeal cancers