New drug combination could prevent head and neck cancer in high-risk patients

A new drug combination shows promise in reducing the risk for patients with advanced oral precancerous lesions to develop squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). The results of the study, which included preclinical and clinical analyses, were published in Clinical Cancer Research. Based on prior research suggesting a role for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in promoting SCCHN, Dong Moon Shin, M.D., and colleagues believe combining an EGFR inhibitor and a COX-2 inhibitor could provide an effective chemopreventive approach. Read more here.

Study mentioned: Shin DM, et al. Chemoprevention of Head and Neck Cancer by Simultaneous Blocking of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor and Cyclooxygenase-2 Signaling Pathways: Preclinical and Clinical Studies. Clin Cancer Res. Published online first February 19, 2013.