The Role of EGFR and HER2- Activating Mutations in Maxillary Sinus Cancer

Maedica (Bucur). 2012 Jan;7(1):70-4.

Abstract

Head and neck cancers account for less than 5% of all cancers worldwide and for less than 1% of all cancer deaths in Romania. Sinonasal squamous cell carcinomas are malignant tumors with origin in the respiratory mucosa of the paranasal sinuses and the nasal cavity. Because of the proximity to different important structures such as the brain, the eye the relevance of a multimodal therapy is well known. We take into discussion not only the most recent data from novel agents targeting EGF receptor (EGFR), VEGF and p53 pathways for the management of sinonasal cancer, but also further development of multimodal approach, and the use of biomarkers to appreciate the progression of the disease and the prognostic and overall survival rate in clinical practice. EGFR alterations have been implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of many malignancies. EGFR overexpression has been studied extensively regarding its clinical use but the results are yet to be analyzed.

Keywords: EGFR; head and neck cancers; overexpression; sinonasal cancer.