Targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor for head and neck cancer chemoprevention

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Cancer Prevention

Background:

• Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) plays a role in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) development.
• EGFR is the sole approved molecular target for advanced head and neck cancers.
• Oral pre-malignant lesions exhibit elevated EGFR protein and gene copy numbers compared to normal tissues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the potential of EGFR inhibition as a chemopreventive strategy for oral cancer.
• To assess the risk of malignant transformation in oral pre-malignant lesions with EGFR overexpression or gene copy number gain.

Main Methods:

• Pre-clinical models were used to test EGFR inhibition in oral pre-malignancies.
• Analysis of EGFR protein expression and gene copy number in oral lesions.
• Review of ongoing clinical trials involving EGFR inhibitors like cetuximab, erlotinib, and vandetanib.

Main Results:

• Pre-clinical studies demonstrated that EGFR inhibition effectively reduces oral cancer incidence.
• Oral pre-malignant lesions with increased EGFR signaling are at higher risk for malignant transformation.
• Early clinical trials with EGFR inhibitors show promising results.

Conclusions:

• EGFR inhibition is a validated approach to reduce oral cancer incidence in pre-clinical models.
• Targeting EGFR in pre-malignant lesions warrants further clinical investigation.
• EGFR inhibitors may significantly decrease HNSCC morbidity and mortality if proven effective for chemoprevention.