title: Targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor for head and neck cancer chemoprevention.
abstract: The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been implicated in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) carcinogenesis. It is currently the only molecular target in head and neck cancers for which there are pharmacologic therapeutic interventions approved by regulatory agencies worldwide to treat advanced disease. Oral pre-malignant lesions have increased EGFR protein expression and increased egfr gene copy number compared to normal mucosa. Oral pre-malignant lesions with overexpression of EGFR or egfr gene copy number gain are at higher risk for malignant transformation. Inhibition of EGFR in pre-clinical models of oral pre-malignancies validates this approach as an effective way to reduce the incidence of oral cancer, and supports investigation of this strategy in the clinic. Clinical trials with EGFR targeted agents, including cetuximab, erlotinib, and vandetanib, are currently under way, some with promising preliminary results. If ultimately shown to reduce the risk of oral cancer, chemoprevention with EGFR inhibitors may significantly reduce morbidity and possibly mortality from HNSCC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Oncology, Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Milena P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Mak
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA. Electronic address: wnwillia@mdanderson.org.
authors.forename: William N
authors.initials: WN
authors.lastname: William
mesh_terms: D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000378:metabolism*; D018628:Gene Dosage; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D066246:ErbB Receptors
keywords: Cetuximab; Chemoprevention; Epidermal growth factor receptor; Erlotinib; Leukoplakia; Oral premalignant lesions