Background: Demands for organ preservation and increasing knowledge in molecular tumor biology have lead to the development of molecular targeting agents. These substances have also been incorporated into concomitant and sequential chemoradiation protocols.
Methods: This study was conducted using a systematic literature review.
Results: In head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), the inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling as a central step in carcinogenesis, progression, and metastasis is the predominant approach. Although EGFR targeting substances are commonly used, the specific influence of molecular targeting therapies on patient outcome remains unclear. In this review, results from recent clinical trials in the area of primary chemoradiation in the combination with EGFR targeting agents are discussed.
Conclusion: Encouraging results from recent trials need to be confirmed in larger patient cohorts and cost-effectiveness analyses have to be undertaken. Phase III studies need to confirm these results before, time and again, new phase II studies are initiated.
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