Anti-EGFR Therapy: Strategies in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Author(s)

Oliveira-Silva, Renato J. ^[1] ; de Carvalho, Ana Carolina ^[1] ; Viana, Luciano de Souza ^{[1, 2]} ; Carvalho, Andre L. ^[1] ; Reis, Rui M. ^{[3, 4, 1]}

Affiliation

^[1] Barretos Canc Hosp, Mol Oncol Res Ctr, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Barretos Canc Hosp, Dept Med Oncol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Univ Minho, Sch Hlth Sci, Life & Hlth Sci Res Inst ICVS, Braga - Portugal

^[4] ICVS 3Bs PT Govt Associate Lab, Braga - Portugal

• Document type: Review article
• Source: Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery; v. 11, n. 2, p. 170-183, 2016.
• Web of Science Citations: 7

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. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/13834-7 - Comparison of the methylation profile of specific genes between HPV-positive and HPV-negative tumors from patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
• Grantee: Ana Carolina de Carvalho Peters
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral