Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Therapy Testing in a Spheroid-based 3D Cell Culture Model for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
06:11

Therapy Testing in a Spheroid-based 3D Cell Culture Model for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Published on: April 20, 2018

Targeting epidermal growth factor receptor and SRC pathways in head and neck cancer

Ann Marie Egloff1, Jennifer R Grandis

  • 1Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.

Seminars in Oncology
|June 12, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Targeting both Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) and Src family kinases may improve head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treatment outcomes. Combining these therapies offers a promising strategy beyond current EGFR-targeted treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is highly expressed in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), correlating with poorer patient survival.
  • Current EGFR-targeted monotherapies show limited efficacy in HNSCC patients.
  • Identifying cooperative or compensatory signaling pathways is crucial for enhancing EGFR-targeted therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore ErbB family- and Src family-targeted agents for HNSCC treatment.
  • To provide a rationale for combining ErbB- and Src-targeted therapeutics.
  • To review agents in clinical development and ongoing trials.

Main Methods:

  • Review of molecular signaling pathways in HNSCC.
  • Analysis of ErbB and Src family kinase targeted agents.
  • Overview of clinical trial data for relevant therapies.

Main Results:

  • Limited efficacy of EGFR-targeted monotherapies in HNSCC.
  • ErbB and Src family kinases represent viable targets for combination therapy.
  • Several agents targeting these kinases are in clinical development.

Conclusions:

  • Combining ErbB- and Src-targeted agents holds promise for improving HNSCC treatment.
  • Further exploration of these combination strategies is warranted.
  • Targeting compensatory pathways alongside EGFR can overcome therapeutic limitations.

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