Molecular targeted therapy: novel therapeutic approach for head and neck cancer.

Cancer is a major public health burden worldwide, affecting millions of people each year. One of the major hallmarks of cancer is rapid growth and progression by evasion of host immune responses. Tumor resistance to conventional anticancer drugs by several mechanisms, such as drug inactivation, efflux pumps and enhanced toxicity to normal cells decreases their clinical efficacy. These limitations resulted in the development of new targeted agents, such as monoclonal antibodies and small molecule inhibitors that have high tumor specificity. This paper discusses the therapeutic applications of novel molecular targeted agents and immunotherapy as an alternative treatment option for head and neck cancers, as well as provides insight into future therapeutic approaches for advanced head and neck cancers.