Response of Some Head and Neck Cancers to Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors May Be Linked to Mutation of<i>ERBB2</i>rather than<i>EGFR</i>

Abstract

Our data indicate that unlike NSCLC, EGFR kinase mutations are rare in unselected cases of SCCHN within the United States and are not linked to gefitinib or erlotinib responses in SCCHN. Alternative mechanisms, including ERBB2 mutations, may underlie responsiveness in this tumor type.