NEWS FROM ESMO

TKI Shows Activity in Head and Neck Cancer

Lapatinib (Tyverb®), an orally active dual tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR and HER2) currently approved in the United States for treatment of advanced breast cancer, has demonstrated single-agent activity in another cancer, locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). EGFR overexpression is found with high frequency in many cancers including H+N cancer and typically is associated with a more aggressive clinical course. A phase II study of therapy-naive SCCHN patients randomized participants to receive either lapatinib or placebo for 2 to 6 weeks prior to standard concurrent platinum-based chemoRx and radiation. Results showed an improved response rate (CR and PR) for patients given lapatinib of 86% vs 63% for placebo. A CR rate after receiving chemoradiation was seen in 28% in lapatinib arm vs only 7% in the placebo arm, suggesting lapatinib may enhance the effect of subsequent chemoradiation.

Del Campo JM, et al. Abstract 6880 Annals of Oncology 19 (Supplement 8) 2008.

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