Radiation combined with EGFR signal inhibitors: head and neck cancer focus.

摘要: Molecular inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling represents one the most promising current arenas for advancement molecularly targeted cancer therapies. A series EGFR inhibitors from both monoclonal antibody (mAb) and tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) class have shown clear clinical activity in treatment several common human cancers. Three recently gained Food Drug Administration (FDA) approval therapy United States including mAb cetuximab (Erbitux™) small-molecule TKIs gefitinib (Iressa™) erlotinib (Tarceva™). The rapidly expanding preclinical data contributing to these FDA approvals validate a central role as an important molecular target epithelial malignancies. Indeed, more striking results this field has been achieved by combining (cetuximab) with radiation advanced head neck patients. Nevertheless, overall gains realized date are modest global population. Much remains be learned regarding rational integration into regimens well methods optimize selection patients likely benefit strategies.