Premium
Advances in the management of recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck
Author(s) -
Shin Dong M.,
Khuri Fadlo R.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.21910
Subject(s) - cetuximab , medicine , oncology , bevacizumab , head and neck cancer , chemotherapy , head and neck squamous cell carcinoma , refractory (planetary science) , epidermal growth factor receptor , radiation therapy , cancer , colorectal cancer , physics , astrobiology
Most patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) undergo definitive therapy, yet locoregional recurrence and metastasis are common. Most patients ultimately require systemic treatment. Platinum/5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) has been the standard of care for patients with good performance status (median survival, 6–8 months). Cetuximab, a monoclonal antibody against epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), significantly improved median survival in combination with platinum/5‐FU compared with chemotherapy alone, establishing it as a new standard for patients with recurrent or metastatic disease. Cetuximab is also active in platinum‐refractory disease. Ongoing trials are exploring other EGFR inhibitors as well as the use of biologic agents in combination (eg, cetuximab + bevacizumab). Predictive biomarkers may help personalize therapy for SCCHN, and it is unclear whether the favorable prognostic effect of p16 or human papillomavirus in locally advanced oropharyngeal cancer is relevant for advanced disease. Head Neck, 2013