Targeted therapy in head and neck cancer

Abstract

In patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN), tumor recurrence, secondary tumors, and comorbidities contribute to therapy failure, and treatment approaches often are limited by their toxicity. With the incorporation of targeted therapies, the number of options available for patients with SCCHN is growing. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is involved in the development and progression of SCCHN and is associated with a poor prog-

Immunological Treatment Options for Locoregionally Advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

“…In particular, chemotherapy should be given as chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Recent studies have clearly shown the benefits of CRT compared with radiation alone [9], and it has been proven to increase regional control and survival, but it has not been linked to decreased metastatization [3, 8, 9]. Another treatment option that should be strongly considered in locally advanced and regional HNSCC is induction chemotherapy.…”

“…This can be treated with the intent to cure by reirradiating the site or by excision using a cyber knife [3]. Standard treatment for high-volume reoccurrence that is inoperable or has been previously irradiated, plus metastatic disease, consists mainly of platin-based chemotherapy [3, 9]. Combinations of platin drugs with other traditional chemotherapeutics such as5-fluorouracil and taxols have not been shown to improve results of treatment compared to single agent platin based therapy[3].…”

“…Limited increases in survival times have occurred over the last decade and current treatments have serious side effects [9, 11]. Surgery and radiation may leave patients disfigured and without the use of complex head and neck functions.…”

“…This receptor has been linked to HNSCC to proliferation, angiogenesis, and progression through the cell cycle [1, 9]. It is also a marker of poor prognosis [1, 9]. Due to the oncologic nature of the protein, it can be inferred that a blockade of this receptor should inhibit these cancerous properties.…”

Molecular targeted therapies in epidermoid carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract

“…Des ré sultats pré liminaires encourageants ont é té rapporté s dans une é tude de phase II, associant cé tuximab-paclitaxel-carboplatine et radiothé rapie (é videment ganglionnaire ré alisé en rattrapage), dans le cadre de tumeurs localement avancé es, avec 95 % de patients localement contrô lé s en fin de traitement et une toxicité acceptable [63]. De nombreuses autres é tudes é valuant l'inté rê t de l'association d'un anti-REGF à la radiochimiothé rapie concomitante sont aujourd'hui en cours en traitement exclusif ou en postopé ratoire [43]. Une large é tude (> 700 patients) de phase III mené e par le RTOG, comparant l'association cé tuximab-radiochimiothé -rapie concomitante à base de cisplatine à une radiochimiothé rapie concomitante seule, devrait prochainement apporter des ré sultats inté ressants.…”