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Calheiros-Lobo M, Silva JPN, Pinto B, Monteiro L, Silva PMA, Bousbaa H. Exploring the Therapeutic Implications of Co-Targeting the EGFR and Spindle Assembly Checkpoint Pathways in Oral Cancer. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:1196. [PMID: 39339232 PMCID: PMC11435222 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16091196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2024] [Revised: 09/06/2024] [Accepted: 09/10/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Head and neck cancer (HNC), the sixth most common cancer worldwide, is increasing in incidence, with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) as the predominant subtype. OSCC mainly affects middle-aged to elderly males, often occurring on the posterior lateral border of the tongue, leading to significant disfigurement and functional impairments, such as swallowing and speech difficulties. Despite advancements in understanding OSCC's genetic and epigenetic variations, survival rates for advanced stages remain low, highlighting the need for new treatment options. Primary treatment includes surgery, often combined with radiotherapy (RT) and chemotherapy (CT). Cetuximab-based chemotherapy, targeting the overexpressed epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in 80-90% of HNCs, is commonly used but correlates with poor prognosis. Additionally, monopolar spindle 1 (MPS1), a spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) component, is a significant target due to its role in genomic fidelity during mitosis and its overexpression in several cancers. This review explores EGFR and MPS1 as therapeutic targets in HNC, analyzing their molecular mechanisms and the effects of their inhibition on cancer cells. It also highlights the promise of combinatorial approaches, such as microtubule-targeting agents (MTAs) and antimitotic agents, in improving HNC therapies, patient outcomes, and survival rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mafalda Calheiros-Lobo
- UNIPRO—Oral Pathology and Rehabilitation Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences (IUCS), Cooperativa de Ensino Superior Politécnico e Universitário (CESPU), Rua Central de Gandra, 1317, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal; (M.C.-L.); (J.P.N.S.); (B.P.); (L.M.)
| | - João P. N. Silva
- UNIPRO—Oral Pathology and Rehabilitation Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences (IUCS), Cooperativa de Ensino Superior Politécnico e Universitário (CESPU), Rua Central de Gandra, 1317, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal; (M.C.-L.); (J.P.N.S.); (B.P.); (L.M.)
| | - Bárbara Pinto
- UNIPRO—Oral Pathology and Rehabilitation Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences (IUCS), Cooperativa de Ensino Superior Politécnico e Universitário (CESPU), Rua Central de Gandra, 1317, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal; (M.C.-L.); (J.P.N.S.); (B.P.); (L.M.)
| | - Luís Monteiro
- UNIPRO—Oral Pathology and Rehabilitation Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences (IUCS), Cooperativa de Ensino Superior Politécnico e Universitário (CESPU), Rua Central de Gandra, 1317, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal; (M.C.-L.); (J.P.N.S.); (B.P.); (L.M.)
- Medicine and Oral Surgery Department, University Institute of Health Sciences—CESPU (IUCS-CESPU), 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal
| | - Patrícia M. A. Silva
- UNIPRO—Oral Pathology and Rehabilitation Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences (IUCS), Cooperativa de Ensino Superior Politécnico e Universitário (CESPU), Rua Central de Gandra, 1317, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal; (M.C.-L.); (J.P.N.S.); (B.P.); (L.M.)
- Associate Laboratory i4HB, Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, University Institute of Health Sciences—CESPU, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal
- UCIBIO—Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Translational Toxicology Research Laboratory, University Institute of Health Sciences (1H-TOXRUN, IUCS-CESPU), 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal
| | - Hassan Bousbaa
- UNIPRO—Oral Pathology and Rehabilitation Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences (IUCS), Cooperativa de Ensino Superior Politécnico e Universitário (CESPU), Rua Central de Gandra, 1317, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal; (M.C.-L.); (J.P.N.S.); (B.P.); (L.M.)
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Moura ACD, Assad DX, Amorim Dos Santos J, Porto de Toledo I, Barra GB, Castilho RM, Squarize CH, Guerra ENS. Worldwide prevalence of PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway mutations in head and neck cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2021; 160:103284. [PMID: 33675910 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2021.103284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
A systematic review (SR) and meta-analysis were conducted to determine the prevalence of PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathway mutations in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC). Overall, 105 studies comprising 8630 patients and 1306 mutations were selected. The estimated mutations prevalence was 13 % for PIK3CA (95 % confidence interval [CI] = 11-14; I2 = 82 %; p < 0.0001), 4% for PTEN (95 % CI = 3-5; I2 = 55 %; p < 0.0001), 3% for MTOR (95 % CI = 2-4; I2 = 5%; p = 0.40), and 2% for AKT (95 % CI = 1-2; I2 = 50 %; p = 0.0001). We further stratified the available data of the participants according to risk factors and tumor characteristics, including HPV infection, tobacco use, alcohol exposure, TNM stage, and histological tumor differentiation, and performed subgroup analysis. We identified significant associations between PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway-associated mutations and advanced TNM stage (odds ratio [OR] = 0.20; 95 % CI = 0.09-0.44; I² = 71 %; p = 0.0001) and oropharyngeal HPV-positive tumors and PIK3CA mutations (OR = 17.48; 95 % CI = 4.20-72.76; I² = 69 %; p < 0.0002). No associations were found between alcohol and tobacco exposure, and tumor differentiation grade. This SR demonstrated that the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway emerges as a potential prognostic factor and could offer a molecular basis for future studies on therapeutic targeting in HNC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Castelo de Moura
- Laboratory of Oral Histopathology, Health Sciences Faculty, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil; Hospital Universitário de Brasília (HUB-UnB/Ebserh), Brasília, DF, Brazil; Hospital Santa Lúcia, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Daniele Xavier Assad
- Laboratory of Oral Histopathology, Health Sciences Faculty, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil; Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Sírio-Libanês, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Juliana Amorim Dos Santos
- Laboratory of Oral Histopathology, Health Sciences Faculty, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Isabela Porto de Toledo
- Laboratory of Oral Histopathology, Health Sciences Faculty, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Barcelos Barra
- Sabin Medicina Diagnóstica, SAAN Quadra 03 Lotes 145/185, Brasília, 70632-340, DF, Brazil
| | - Rogerio Moraes Castilho
- Laboratory of Epithelial Biology, Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, Division of Oral Pathology, Radiology and Medicine, University of Michigan School of Dentistry. Ann Arbor, 48109-1078, MI, USA; Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 48109, MI, USA
| | - Cristiane Helena Squarize
- Laboratory of Epithelial Biology, Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, Division of Oral Pathology, Radiology and Medicine, University of Michigan School of Dentistry. Ann Arbor, 48109-1078, MI, USA; Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 48109, MI, USA
| | - Eliete Neves Silva Guerra
- Laboratory of Oral Histopathology, Health Sciences Faculty, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil; Laboratory of Epithelial Biology, Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, Division of Oral Pathology, Radiology and Medicine, University of Michigan School of Dentistry. Ann Arbor, 48109-1078, MI, USA.
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Granados-García M, Aguilar-Ponce JL, Maldonado-Magos F, De la Garza-Salazar JG. Advanced Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck: The Current Role of Cetuximab. ORL J Otorhinolaryngol Relat Spec 2017; 78:320-333. [PMID: 28125819 DOI: 10.1159/000455891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2016] [Accepted: 01/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
We review clinical trials of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) to address the current and potential uses of cetuximab (CTX). PubMed was reviewed to identify papers published between 2010 and 2016. The search terms used were "cetuximab" and "head and neck cancer." A total of 634 articles were identified. Phase II or III studies with CTX in patients with advanced SCCHN without treatment or with recurrent/metastatic tumors were selected. Forty-six registries were obtained. Information was critically reviewed and relevant information presented. As definitive treatment of advanced squamous cells carcinomas and as palliative treatment of recurrent/metastatic disease, CTX alone or associated with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy is an alternative to chemoradiotherapy because of its distinct and favorable toxicity profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martín Granados-García
- Head and Neck Cancer Department, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Mexico City, Mexico
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Abstract
Most patients diagnosed with head and neck cancer have locally advanced disease. Sequential and concurrent chemoradiation are standard, nonsurgical, curative-intent treatment options. Controversy remains regarding the superiority of one approach to another. Definitive management strategies are evolving with increasing efforts to pursue deintensification of therapy for low-risk patients, and to pursue therapeutic intensification for high-risk patients. Both sequential therapy and concurrent chemoradiation play important roles in shaping treatment paradigms because both approaches may be used to investigate deintensification or intensification strategies. This article examines the latest evidence and state-of-the-art approaches, highlighting ongoing controversies and future directions.
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