International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics
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Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. · Mar 2004
ReviewEpidermal growth factor receptor and response of head-and-neck carcinoma to therapy.
To present an overview of the significance of erbB tyrosine kinase family members as prognostic-predictive factors and as targets of therapeutic intervention in patients with head-and-neck carcinomas (HNCs). ⋯ Members of the erbB receptor tyrosine kinase family, particularly EGFR, were found to be a strong biomarker for poor prognosis and HNC resistance to RT. The available data showed that EGFR antagonists given as single modality therapies yield rather limited antitumor activity. The results of trials testing the efficacy of combining EGFR antagonist with RT or chemotherapy will emerge within the next few years.