Human epidermal growth factor receptor 3 (HER3) is a member of the human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER) family. The main characteristic of HER3 is that it does not possess tyrosine kinase activity, unlike other HERs. The role of HER3 in tumorigenesis has now been recognized, particularly in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs). Despite conflicting studies, HER3 was found to be overexpressed in HNSCC samples, and correlates with disease progression and poor survival, especially when it is coexpressed with other HERs. HER3 is a significant factor in HNSCC treatment resistance. Indeed, HER3 is a major mechanism described for cetuximab resistance because of modification of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) internalization and by phosphotidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT signaling pathway activation. HER3 also affects resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and thereby promotes treatment escape and radiotherapy resistance by activation of the survival signaling pathway. To counteract this, pharmacologic inhibitors of HER3 are currently in development and could significantly improve HNSCC treatment. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E2412-E2418, 2016.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/hed.24367DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

epidermal growth
16
growth factor
16
factor receptor
16
human epidermal
12
head neck
12
neck squamous
8
squamous cell
8
cell carcinomas
8
her3
8
tyrosine kinase
8

Similar Publications

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!