[Radio-chemotherapy in head and neck cancer (EGFR+)]

Bull Cancer. 2007 Sep;94(9):828-32.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Squamous-cell carcinoma of the head and neck are neoplasic diseases for which locoregional control remains very important, given its particular pattern of failure. Treatment of early stage disease involves surgery or radiation therapy. Locally advanced disease is treated either with concurrent chemoradiotherapy or surgery followed by radio-chemotherapy, according to each center's expertise. Recent research has demonstrated that the overexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is associated with tumor progression. Based on this research, a new type of anticancer therapy, so-called "targeted therapies" represent important additions to the current therapeutic arsenal in the management of head and neck cancers, based on results of a phase III trial combining radiotherapy and immunotherapy with cetuximab.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / chemistry
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / radiotherapy*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / surgery
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic / statistics & numerical data
  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • ErbB Receptors / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / chemistry
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / surgery
  • Humans
  • Neoplasm Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / prevention & control
  • Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / statistics & numerical data
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • EGFR protein, human
  • ErbB Receptors