Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2023 May 1;35(3):178-185.
doi: 10.1097/CCO.0000000000000943. Epub 2023 Mar 17.

Targeting Harvey rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog in head and neck cancer: how to move forward?

Hédi Ben Yahia  1   2 , François M Petit  1   2 , Esma Saada-Bouzid  1   3
Affiliations
Review

Targeting Harvey rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog in head and neck cancer: how to move forward?

Hédi Ben Yahia et al. Curr Opin Oncol. .

Abstract

Purpose of review: Despite recent advances, treatment personalization remains an issue for recurrent metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (RM HNSCC) patients. After human papilloma virus (HPV) and programmed death ligand 1 (PDL1) expression, Harvey rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (HRAS) appears as an emerging target in this field. In this review, we summarize the features of HRAS -mutated HNSCC and its targeting by farnesyl transferase inhibitors.

Recent findings: HRAS mutations define a small subgroup of RM HNSCC patients with a poor prognosis and often refractory to the standard treatments. Posttranslational processing of HRAS being dependent on farnesylation, farnesyl transferase inhibitors have been evaluated in HRAS -mutated tumors. Tipifarnib, a first in class farnesyl transferase inhibitor, has shown efficacy in phase 2 trials with HRAS -mutated tumors. Despite reported high response rates in selected population, the efficacy of Tipifarnib is inconsistent and always transient, probably because of limiting hematological toxicities leading to dose reduction and occurrence of secondary resistance mutations.

Summary: Tipifarnib is the first in the class of farnesyl transferase inhibitors to show efficacy in HRAS -mutated RM HNSCC. The understanding of mechanisms of resistance will pave the way for the design of second-generation farnesyl transferases inhibitors.

PubMed Disclaimer

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. Sung H, Ferlay J, Siegel RL, et al. Global cancer statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries. CA Cancer J Clin 2021; 71:209–249.
    1. Ang KK, Harris J, Wheeler R, et al. Human papillomavirus and survival of patients with oropharyngeal cancer. N Engl J Med 2010; 363:24–35.
    1. Lacas B, Carmel A, Landais C, et al. Meta-analysis of chemotherapy in head and neck cancer (MACH-NC): an update on 107 randomized trials and 19,805 patients, on behalf of MACH-NC Group. Radiother Oncol 2021; 156:281–293.
    1. Burtness B, Harrington KJ, Greil R, et al. Pembrolizumab alone or with chemotherapy versus cetuximab with chemotherapy for recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (KEYNOTE-048): a randomised, open-label, phase 3 study. Lancet 2019; 394:1915–1928.
    1. Guigay J, Aupérin A, Fayette J, et al. Cetuximab, docetaxel, and cisplatin versus platinum, fluorouracil, and cetuximab as first-line treatment in patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous-cell carcinoma (GORTEC 2014-01 TPExtreme): a multicentre, open-label, randomised, phase 2 trial. Lancet Oncol 2021; 22:463–475.

Substances