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Drugs
Published in: Drugs 4/2013

01-03-2013 | Leading Article

Promising New Molecular Targeted Therapies in Head and Neck Cancer

Authors: Kelly Dorsey, Mark Agulnik

Published in: Drugs | Issue 4/2013

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Abstract

Despite advances in multimodality therapies for the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN), survival rates, functional outcomes and toxicities of therapy remain poor. The recognition of the prognostic value of human papillomavirus (HPV) status, and the advent of biologically targeted therapies with potential for decreased toxicities and increased selectivity, represent significant developments in our understanding of SCCHN. Targeted agents currently approved or under investigation for SCCHN include epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibodies (cetuximab, panitumumab, zalutumumab, nimotuzumab), EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (gefitinib, erlotinib, lapatinib, afatanib, dacomitinib), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) inhibitors (bevacizumab, sorafenib, sunitinib, vandetanib) and various inhibitors of other pathways and targets, including phosphatidylinositol 3′ kinase (PI3K)/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), MET and insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-1R). On-going clinical trials are evaluating these emerging agents and their combinations in the treatment of SCCHN.
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Metadata
Title
Promising New Molecular Targeted Therapies in Head and Neck Cancer
Authors
Kelly Dorsey
Mark Agulnik
Publication date
01-03-2013
Publisher
Springer International Publishing AG
Published in
Drugs / Issue 4/2013
Print ISSN: 0012-6667
Electronic ISSN: 1179-1950
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40265-013-0025-3

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