Current Aspects and Future Considerations of EGFR Inhibition in Locally Advanced and Recurrent Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Nabil Saba, Emory University; Bhamini Patel, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2021-07-01
• Publisher: MDPI
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2021 by the authors.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/cancers13143545
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: CANCERS
• Volume: 13
• Issue: 14
• Grant/Funding Information: This research received no external funding.
• Keywords: CONCURRENT CHEMORADIOTHERAPY; LAPATINIB MONOTHERAPY; EGFR inhibition in head and neck cancer; PLUS CETUXIMAB; EGFR and chemotherapy in SCCHN; PHASE-II TRIAL; OPEN-LABEL; EGFR monoclonal antibodies; SINGLE-ARM; head and neck squamous cell carcinoma; Oncology; Science & Technology; INVESTIGATORS CHOICE; pembrolizumab and monoclonal antibody in SCCHN; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; DOUBLE-BLIND; Epidermal Growth Factor and squamous cell carcinoma; GROWTH-FACTOR-RECEPTOR; combination immunotherapy and EGFR in head and neck cancer; 1ST-LINE TREATMENT
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Oncology; Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery

Abstract

Recurrent metastatic (RM) and locally advanced (LA) squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) are devasting disease states with limited therapeutic options and poor overall survival. Targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is one area that has helped improve outcomes in this disease. Anti-EGFR based therapies have been shown to improve overall survival and mitigate the significant toxicities incurred from standard radiation, chemotherapy, and/or surgical options. Cetuximab, the most well-studied anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody, has demonstrated a positive impact on outcomes for RM and LA SCCHN. However, the development of early resistance to cetuximab highlights the need for a wider arsenal of therapy for RM and LA diseases. The use of immune checkpoint inhibitors has recently transformed the treatment of recurrent SCCHN. Drugs such as pembrolizumab and nivolumab have demonstrated success in recent clinical trials and have been approved for the treatment of advanced disease. Given the positive results of both EGFR targeted agents and immune checkpoint inhibitors, ongoing trials are studying their synergistic effects.