[Molecularly targeted therapy in head and neck cancer]

Abstract

The emergence of molecularly targeted therapy did not spare head and neck cancers. Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) were indeed one of the first tumor types to get a molecularly targeted agent approved (cetuximab, a monoclonal antibody targeting EGFR), not only in the recurrent or metastatic setting but also in the locally advanced setting. However, the development of molecularly targeted agents inhibiting non-EGFR targets appears to be complex. This article summarizes recent data on molecularly targeted agents in most frequent head and neck cancers including HNSCC, nasopharyngeal carcinoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma of salivary glands. Challenges for the development of these agents are then discussed.