Targeting the EGFR and Immune Pathways in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck (SCCHN): Forging a New Alliance

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Nabil Saba, Emory University; Georgia Chen, Emory University; Missak Haigentz, Atlantic Health System; Paolo Bossi, University of Brescia; Alessandro Rinaldo, University of Udine; Juan P. Rodrigo, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias; Antti A. Makitie, University of Helsinki; Robert P. Takes, Radboud University Nijmegen; Primoz Strojan, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana; Jan B. Vermorken, Antwerp University Hospital; Alfio Ferlito, International Head and Neck Scientific Group
• Language: English
• Date: 2019-11-01
• Publisher: American Association for Cancer Research.
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: 2019 American Association for Cancer Research.
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1158/1535-7163.MCT-19-0214
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: MOLECULAR CANCER THERAPEUTICS
• Volume: 18
• Issue: 11
• Start Page: 1909
• End Page: 1915
• Grant/Funding Information: This work was supported by an NIH grant P30 CA 138292 to NFS and GZC
• Keywords: EPIDERMAL-GROWTH-FACTOR; Oncology; SIGNAL-TRANSDUCTION; Science & Technology; OPEN-LABEL; COLORECTAL-CANCER; GENE COPY NUMBER; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; FACTOR RECEPTOR EGFR; CHEMOTHERAPY PLUS CETUXIMAB; ACQUIRED-RESISTANCE; HPV STATUS; LUNG-CANCER
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Oncology

Abstract

Despite the recent approval of immune-modulatory agents, EGFR inhibition continues to be a cornerstone in the management of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) namely in combination with radiotherapy in the treatment of locoregionally advanced disease as well as in platinum-sensitive recurrent or metastatic disease in the first-line setting. Importantly, recent evidence has emerged supporting also an immune-modulatory effect of EGFR inhibition, and interest has now focused on utilizing these effects in the current treatment approaches for SCCHN. In this report, we review the rationale and evidence supporting the forging of this new alliance in optimizing the treatment of SCCHN.