title: Anti-EGFR Therapy: Strategies in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
abstract: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a tyrosine kinase receptor that activates downstream signaling pathways, including the Ras-MEK-Erk and PI3K-AKT pathways, leading to cell proliferation, resistance to apoptosis, angiogenesis and the ability to metastasize. EGFR overexpression is a significant finding in cancer, particularly in head and neck cancer, where it is also associated with a poor prognosis. In recent years, several molecules have been designed to inhibit EGFR activation. Among the many available anti-EGFR drugs, only cetuximab was approved for the treatment of head and neck cancers. However, no predictive biomarkers of cetuximab response are currently known. In the present review, we provide an updated assessment of EGFR biology and its clinical impact in head and neck cancers. A special emphasis is placed on novel patents of EGFR-inhibitors that are anticipated to diversify the anti-EGFR therapies available to treat head and neck cancers. In particular, we outline a new class of irreversible multi-target inhibitors (e.g. afatinib, icotinib, CUDC-101), which may significantly contribute to new head and neck cancer therapies.
authors.forename: Renato J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Oliveira-Silva
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carolina de Carvalho
authors.forename: Luciano
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: de Souza Viana
authors.affiliation: Barretos Cancer Hospital, Rua Antenor Duarte Villela, 1331, CEP 14784 400, Barretos, S. Paulo, Brazil. carvalhoal@gmail.com.
authors.forename: André L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.affiliation: Barretos Cancer Hospital, Rua Antenor Duarte Villela, 1331, CEP 14784 400, Barretos, S. Paulo, Brazil. ruireis.hcb@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Rui M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Reis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D010330:Patents as Topic; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; C512478:EGFR protein, human; D066246:ErbB Receptors