Recent Advance in Drug Development of Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Anticancer Agents Med Chem. 2015;15(7):816-27. doi: 10.2174/1871520615666150113103938.

Abstract

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) has a high worldwide incidence that is commonly seen as head and neck cancers, esophageal cancers, and non-small cell lung cancers. There is a poor prognosis for SCC due to potential recurrence and its metastatic tendency so the 5-year survival rate is very low. Target therapy is a novel and promising treatment strategy exhibiting great anti-tumor effects and survival benefits in SCC. This review summarizes current treatment strategies from clinical and experimental studies, including the agents targeting epidermal growth factor receptors, RNA polymerase, toll-like receptors, p38α MAPK, CXCR, and the related combination therapy regimens. However, there are still many challenges we have to face. It is a burning need to improve the development and availability of drug formulations.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / metabolism
  • DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • ErbB Receptors / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Lung Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 14 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptors, CXCR / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Toll-Like Receptors / agonists

Substances

  • Receptors, CXCR
  • Toll-Like Receptors
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 14
  • DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases