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

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[FGFR-targeted therapy in head and neck carcinomas]

Dimo Dietrich1

  • 1Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohrenheilkunde/Chirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Deutschland. dimo.dietrich@gmail.com.

HNO
|June 11, 2020
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Targeted therapies using fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor (FGFR) inhibitors show promise for head and neck cancers. Genomic alterations in FGFR signaling can serve as biomarkers to guide treatment decisions for patients with these tumors.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Genetics
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Genomic aberrations and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor (FGFR) pathway dysregulation are common in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs).
  • Targeted therapies, including tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and monoclonal antibodies against FGFRs, offer a promising treatment strategy for HNSCC.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current status of FGFR-directed therapies for head and neck tumors, with a focus on HNSCC.
  • To discuss the role of FGFR pathway genomic alterations as potential companion predictive biomarkers for these therapies.

Main Methods:

  • Literature search of PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov, and conference proceedings.
  • Review and synthesis of existing data on FGFR-targeted therapies and biomarkers in head and neck cancers.

Main Results:

  • Early results indicate that TKIs are effective in treating HNSCC and other head and neck adenocarcinomas, including thyroid and adenocystic salivary gland carcinomas.
  • FGFR-targeted TKIs demonstrate efficacy in preclinical and early clinical studies.

Conclusions:

  • Biomarker-directed treatment using FGFR-targeted TKIs holds significant promise for patients with head and neck tumors.
  • Further clinical investigation is warranted to fully establish the efficacy and predictive value of FGFR alterations in guiding HNSCC treatment.
Keywords:
Fibroblast growth factor receptorHead and neck squamous cell carcinomaMutationPredictive biomarkerTyrosine kinase inhibitor

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