Overcoming resistance to EGFR inhibitor in head and neck cancer: a review of the literature

Abstract

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) affects over half a million people worldwide. Despite advances in therapy, only half of the patients are alive in 5 years. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is overexpressed in approximately 90% of the tumors, and it is correlated with poor response to treatment and worse outcome. Multiple therapies targeting this pathway have been tested. Cetuximab is the only EGFR inhibitor approved in HNSCC, but response rates are low. More recently, significant interest has focus on identifying mechanisms of acquired and de novo EGFR blockage resistance. Here we review some of these mechanisms and describe strategies to overcome that resistance.