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British Journal of Cancer (2007) 96, 408-416.
doi:10.1038/sj.bjc.6603566 www.bjcancer.com Published online 16 January 2007
Targeting EGF-receptor-signalling in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck
C W M Reuter1, M A Morgan1 and A Eckardt2
1Department of Hematology, Hemostaseology and Oncology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
2Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
Correspondence to: Dr CWM Reuter, E-mail: christophreuter@yahoo.com
Revised 19 September 2006; accepted 29 November 2006; published online 16 January 2007
Despite significant advances in the use of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy to treat squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN), prognosis has improved little over the past 30 years. There is a clear need for novel, more effective therapies to prevent relapse, control metastases and improve overall survival. Improved understanding of SCCHN disease biology has led to the introduction of molecularly targeted treatment strategies in these cancers. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is expressed at much higher levels in SCCHN tumours than in normal epithelial tissue, and EGFR expression correlates with poor prognosis. Therefore, much effort is currently directed toward targeting aberrant EGFR activity (e.g. cell signalling) in SCCHN. This review discusses the efficacy of novel therapies targeting the EGFR (e.g. anti-EGFR antibodies and EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors) that are currently tested in SCCHN patients.
Keywords: EGF-receptor signalling; monoclonal antibody; tyrosine kinase inhibitor; SCCHN
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| Print ISSN: 0007-0920 | Online ISSN: 1532-1827 | © 2007 Cancer Research UK | ||
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