Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Exploring frontiers of combinatorial approaches with tyrosine kinase inhibitors and immune checkpoint therapy

• Published in: Critical reviews in oncology/hematology 2022-12, Vol.180, p.103863-103863, Article 103863
• Main Authors: Scarini, João Figueira, Lavareze, Luccas, de Lima-Souza, Reydson Alcides, Emerick, Carolina, Gonçalves, Mayara Trevizol, Figueiredo-Maciel, Tayná, Vieira, Gustavo de Souza, Kimura, Talita de Carvalho, de Sá, Raisa Sales, Aquino, Iara Gonçalves, Fernandes, Patricia Maria, Kowalski, Luiz Paulo, Altemani, Albina, Mariano, Fernanda Viviane, Egal, Erika Said Abu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Checkpoint inhibitors; Clinical trials; Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma; Review; Tyrosine kinase inhibitors
• ISSN: 1040-8428; 1879-0461
• DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2022.103863

Squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) are the most common malignant tumors that arise in the head and neck. Despite advances in the management of affected patients, the mortality burden of these tumors is increasing every year. The discovery of a vast genetic landscape has revealed new opportunities for therapeutic intervention of head and neck SCC (HNSCC). Molecular alterations of tyrosine kinases are involved in the pathogenesis of cancer and may help keep cancer cells from growing. Currently, many drugs inhibit this enzyme family and are being studied by the pharmaceutical industry opening the room to expand the use and efficacy of this therapeutic modality alone or using combinatorial approaches including checkpoint inhibitors for treatment. In this paper, we explored the role of tyrosine kinases inhibitors of HNSCC, and clinical trials related to these molecules, expecting to provide references for HNSCC therapy. [Display omitted] •HNSCC patients present different responses when treated with TKI.•EGFR and VEGFR are the most viable and effective molecular targets for HNSCC.•TKI may be combined with checkpoint inhibitors for a better HNSCC response.