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Molecular biology in head and neck cancer

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Abstract

Major changes in the treatment of head and neck cancer are possible today because of the knowledge that we have on the molecular biology of these tumors. Different pathways are active in the development of this cancer and field cancerization is a major problem for the cure in early stage disease.

Epidermal growth factor signal transduction pathway is now the principal target for this disease. New therapeutic strategies such as monoclonal antibodies and small molecules have appeared, however no more than 20% of the patients have objective responses with these therapies. Consequently, new alternatives of treatment in the basis of the understanding of molecular biology are necessary to increase the number of patients that can be cured in the future.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. División of Medical Oncology, University Hospital «12 de Octubre», Ctra. de Andalucía, km. 5,4, 28041, Madrid, Spain

    Ricardo Hitt & María José Echarri

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  1. Ricardo Hitt
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  2. María José Echarri
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Correspondence to Ricardo Hitt.

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Supported by an unrestricted educational grant by Bristol-Myers Squibb.

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Hitt, R., Echarri, M.J. Molecular biology in head and neck cancer. Clin Transl Oncol 8, 776–779 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12094-006-0131-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12094-006-0131-8

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