Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibition in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck

Jean-Pascal Machiels; Sandra Schmitz

doi:10.1016/j.hoc.2015.07.007

Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibition in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck

Hematol Oncol Clin North Am. 2015 Dec;29(6):1011-32. doi: 10.1016/j.hoc.2015.07.007.

Authors

Jean-Pascal Machiels¹, Sandra Schmitz²

Affiliations

¹ 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.
² 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.

PMID: 26568545
DOI: 10.1016/j.hoc.2015.07.007

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.

Keywords: Anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies; Epidermal growth factor receptor; Head and neck cancer; Pan-HER inhibitors; Tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacology
Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / drug therapy*
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / metabolism*
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / mortality
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
Cetuximab / pharmacology
Cetuximab / therapeutic use
Chemoradiotherapy
Clinical Trials as Topic
Combined Modality Therapy
Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
ErbB Receptors / antagonists & inhibitors*
ErbB Receptors / genetics
ErbB Receptors / metabolism*
Head and Neck Neoplasms / drug therapy*
Head and Neck Neoplasms / metabolism*
Head and Neck Neoplasms / mortality
Head and Neck Neoplasms / pathology
Humans
Neoplasm Metastasis
Neoplasm Staging
Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology
Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
Recurrence
Retreatment
Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck

Substances

Antibodies, Monoclonal
Antineoplastic Agents
Protein Kinase Inhibitors
ErbB Receptors
Cetuximab