Drugs to Treat Head and Neck Cancers: Mechanisms of Action

摘要: This chapter presents the anticancer agents used for treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC), emphasizing mechanisms action various drug classes. Current therapies HNSCC can be broadly divided into four categories: (1) DNA damaging agents, (2) Antimetabolites that interfere with synthesis, (3) Antimitotic division, (4) Agents target pathways whose dysregulation are critical tumorigenesis, including apoptosis angiogenesis. from first three groups division therefore fundamentally non-selective. Most their significant adverse effects result damage they inflict on normal cells divide or remodel rapidly. Targeted in contrast have greater potential to selectively inhibit transformed while sparing tissues. All affected by resistance decrease efficacy. Typical tumor include reduced uptake, increased efflux, rapid metabolism, overexpression/mutation enzymes receptors. Resistance pre-empted using combination chemotherapy regimens which several given simultaneously. These also multimodal therapies, i.e. as a complement surgery and/or radiation. Indeed, most is treated therapy chemotherapy. Intravenous injection typical route administration, however few orally. We discuss compounds stages investigation.