title: Targeting HER (ERBB) signaling in head and neck cancer: An essential update.
abstract: HNC (head and neck cancer) remains the 6th most common carcinoma worldwide. The suboptimal survival and toxicities observed with conventional approaches warrant exploration of novel therapeutic strategies such as targeted therapies. Although targeting EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) with cetuximab demonstrated clinical promise, HER (human epidermal growth factor receptor) or ERBB (erythroblastic leukemia viral oncogene homolog) targeted therapy in HNC has overall been suboptimal to date in clinical settings. Overcoming the resistance as well as identifying new strategies therefore remains a significant challenge. In this review, we will discuss the emerging roles of HER members besides EGFR. A comprehensive "three-dimensional" view of HER signaling pathway from the importance of EGFR nuclear translocation to our maturing concept of receptors' "spatial regulation", as well as the interdependence and interaction among different HER members will also be addressed to complete an essential update of HER signaling in HNC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, 1365-C Clifton Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology and Blood & Marrow Transplantation, Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, 1365-C Clifton Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
authors.forename: Nabil F
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Saba
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, 1365-C Clifton Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
authors.forename: Georgia Zhuo
authors.initials: GZ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, 1365-C Clifton Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. Electronic address: dmshin@emory.edu.
authors.forename: Dong M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Shin
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068818:Cetuximab / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; C512478:EGFR protein, human; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D000068818:Cetuximab
keywords: EGFR; ERBB; HER; SCCHN; Targeted therapy