We are grateful for the insightful comments made by Dr Marioni regarding the evidence for survivin as a prognostic biomarker in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) [1], omitted from our review for reasons of space. We agree that targeting survivin in HNSCC is a strategy worthy of exploration, though, at present, limited numbers of patients treated in clinical trials [2, 3] prevent us from making conclusions regarding efficacy. Certainly, any advances in the systemic management of this challenging group of tumours would be welcome given the substantial burden of disease due to HNSCC, as highlighted by Dr Marioni.
References
Marioni G. Rationale behind survivin inhibition as a potential therapeutic strategy in head and neck carcinoma too. Curr Oncol Rep. 2013.
Talbot DC, Ranson M, Davies J, et al. Tumor survivin is downregulated by the antisense oligonucleotide LY2181308: a proof-of-concept, first-in-human dose study. Clin Cancer Res. 2010;16:6150–8. Phase I, proof-of-principle study of survivin inhibition with LY2181308, showing acceptable toxicity and confirming target inhibtion.
Tolcher AW, Mita A, Lewis LD, et al. Phase I and pharmacokinetic study of YM155, a small-molecule inhibitor of survivin. J Clin Oncol. 2008;26:5198–203. Phase I study of YM155 in humans showing acceptable toxicity and therapeutic efficacy in heavily pretreated patients.
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Church, D.N., Talbot, D.C. In Reply: Response to Marioni. Curr Oncol Rep 15, 3 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-012-0268-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-012-0268-2