title: Targeted Therapy of Head and Neck Cancer.
abstract: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the most common solid cancers worldwide. It is mainly caused by exposure to tobacco smoke and alcohol as well as infection with the human papilloma virus (HPV). The prognosis is poor, especially once it recurs or metastasizes. Current therapeutic options include surgery, radio- and chemotherapy. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors are so far the only targeted agents that have been approved in head and neck cancer. Primary or secondary resistance is frequent or will eventually develop. Several driver mutations and other genomic aberrations have been described in HNSCC including EGFR overexpression and amplification. Yet, no predictive biomarkers for the application of EGFR inhibitors have been identified. Further targeted agents are in development for HNSCC, of which inhibitors of the PI3K pathway are the closest to clinical application. In recent years, the incidence of HPV-driven HNSCC has risen in Western countries. HPV-positive and -negative HNSCC are distinct molecular tumor entities, and consequences for targeted therapies have been discussed. This review looks at approved and investigational targeted treatment strategies as well as potential predictive biomarkers such as the HPV status to guide treatment.
authors.affiliation: Charité Comprehensive Cancer Center, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Damian T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Rieke
authors.forename: Konrad
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Klinghammer
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Keilholz
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000276:immunology; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy / Q000639:trends*; D000077195:Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; C512478:EGFR protein, human; D066246:ErbB Receptors