title: Axitinib in the Treatment of Head and Neck Malignancies.
abstract: Head and neck cancers (thyroid and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC)) are relatively common malignancies and although often curable at initial diagnosis, treatment of advanced disease is palliative in intent. There is a scarcity of treatment options, many of which are traditionally associated with significant toxicities and poor survival. Translational studies have identified numerous dysregulated pathways amongst head and neck cancers, including VEGFR and EGFR, highlighting the potential role for targeted therapies. This review details the role of VEGFR in both head and neck cancers and discusses recent trials utilizing axitinib, a multi-tyrosine kinase inhibitor with targets including VEGFR-1, -2, and -3. The article discusses the toxicity data as well as ongoing clinical trials.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology/ Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, 1500 E. Medical Center Dr, SPC 5912, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. pswiecic@med.umich.edu.
authors.forename: Paul L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Swiecicki
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Spector
authors.forename: Francis P
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Worden
mesh_terms: D000077784:Axitinib; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007191:Indazoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D000077195:Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; D013534:Survival; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D007093:Imidazoles; D007191:Indazoles; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D000077784:Axitinib; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor