title: Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibition in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck.
abstract: Overexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is linked with poor prognosis in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). Cetuximab binds specifically to EGFR with high affinity; combined with radiotherapy, it improves locoregional control and survival over radiotherapy alone. Adding cetuximab to platinum-based chemotherapy and 5-fluorouracil improves overall survival in incurable disease. Only a minority of patients benefit from anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in treatment resistance and identification of predictive biomarkers are crucial. Potentially more potent anti-EGFR compounds are currently under investigation with the aim of improving treatment efficacy.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Medical Oncology and Head and Neck Surgery, King Albert II Institute, Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc and Institut de Recherche Clinique et Expérimentale (IREC), Université catholique de Louvain, 10 avenue Hippocrate, Brussels 1200, Belgium. Electronic address: jean-pascal.machiels@uclouvain.be.
authors.forename: Jean-Pascal
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Machiels
authors.affiliation: Departments of Medical Oncology and Head and Neck Surgery, King Albert II Institute, Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc and Institut de Recherche Clinique et Expérimentale (IREC), Université catholique de Louvain, 10 avenue Hippocrate, Brussels 1200, Belgium.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schmitz
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D000068818:Cetuximab / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D059248:Chemoradiotherapy; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012008:Recurrence; D019233:Retreatment; D000077195:Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D000068818:Cetuximab
keywords: Anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies; Epidermal growth factor receptor; Head and neck cancer; Pan-HER inhibitors; Tyrosine kinase inhibitors