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Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Intramucosal Inoculation of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells in Mice for Tumor Immune Profiling and Treatment Response Assessment
Published on: April 22, 2019
Emerging drugs to treat squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck
Christopher Fung1, Jennifer R Grandis
1University of Pittsburgh and University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Department of Otolaryngology, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
Importance Of The Field:
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the eighth leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Despite advances in surgery and chemoradiation therapy, there has been little improvement in survival rates over the past 4 decades. Additionally, surgery and chemoradiotherapy have serious side effects. The development of agents with greater efficacy and tolerability is needed.
Areas Covered In This Review:
EGFR is the only proven molecular target for HNSCC therapy. Cetuximab, the sole FDA-approved molecular targeted HNSCC therapy, and other potential targeted therapies are being evaluated in preclinical, clinical and post-marketing studies. Here, we review the emerging targets for biological agents in HNSCC and the rationale for their selection.
What The Reader Will Gain:
Key information in the development of new drug targets and the emergence of new biomarkers are discussed. Readers will gain insight regarding the limitations of current therapies, the impact of recently approved targeted therapies and the influence that predictive biomarkers will have on drug development.
Take Home Message:
The head and neck cancer drug market is rapidly evolving. Coordination between drug and biomarker development efforts may soon yield targeted therapies that can achieve the promise of personalized cancer medicine.
More Related Videos
06:11Therapy Testing in a Spheroid-based 3D Cell Culture Model for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Published on: April 20, 2018
06:08Establishment and Characterization of Patient-Derived Xenograft Models of Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma and Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Published on: June 2, 2023
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