{"id":21711,"date":"2025-10-24T15:09:33","date_gmt":"2025-10-24T12:09:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kapa3.gr\/?p=21711"},"modified":"2025-10-24T15:09:33","modified_gmt":"2025-10-24T12:09:33","slug":"egfr-an-old-target-gaining-new-life-in-cancer-research","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kapa3.gr\/en\/egfr-an-old-target-gaining-new-life-in-cancer-research\/","title":{"rendered":"EGFR: An \u201cOld Target\u201d Gaining New Life in Cancer Research"},"content":{"rendered":"

When science moves forward step by step<\/strong><\/p>\n

Progress in oncology does not always come with dramatic announcements. Often, it is found in studies that show small but meaningful steps. One such case is a recent review in JAMA Oncology<\/em> exploring new targeted therapies for head and neck cancer \u2014 a type of cancer often linked to smoking, alcohol consumption, or HPV infection. At Kapa3, we closely follow these developments to keep patients and their families responsibly informed,<\/p>\n

Researchers focused on a protein called EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor)<\/strong>. Approximately 90% of patients<\/strong> with this type of cancer show overexpression of the protein, making it an attractive target for therapy. In the past, drugs such as cetuximab attempted to \u201cblock\u201d EGFR activity, but results were limited. Patients experienced modest improvements without a significant increase in survival.<\/p>\n

The new generation of research goes a step further. Combination therapies are being explored, such as targeting EGFR alongside immunotherapy<\/strong> (e.g., pembrolizumab), which strengthens the body\u2019s defense against cancer cells. In early studies, this combination showed response rates around 45%<\/strong> and a median survival of approximately 18 months<\/strong> in patients for whom previous treatments had failed \u2014 results that, while not dramatic, are considered encouraging for this disease.<\/p>\n

Scientists now understand that the success of targeted therapy depends on multiple factors. In many patients, cancer cells eventually develop resistance<\/strong>, \u201clearning\u201d to bypass the drug\u2019s effect. In addition, cancers linked to HPV appear to behave differently from those that are not, opening new avenues for more personalized approaches<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Research is also focusing on identifying biomarkers<\/strong> \u2014 molecular indicators that can show which patients are most likely to benefit from a particular therapy. If these tools prove reliable, they could lead to more targeted, effective, and safer treatments in the future.<\/p>\n

At the same time, newer forms of drugs are being tested, such as bispecific antibodies<\/strong> and antibody\u2013drug conjugates<\/strong>, which aim to target cancer cells with greater precision. All of these efforts are still in early clinical trial stages, aiming to improve efficacy and reduce side effects.<\/p>\n

The key message<\/strong> of this research is not that a \u201cnew drug that beats cancer\u201d has been found, but that science continues to search, test, and learn<\/strong>. Every small step, every percentage of improvement, every new idea paves the way for future progress.<\/p>\n

For people living with cancer \u2014 and their families \u2014 hope lies not only in major breakthroughs and new treatments but also in the certainty that thousands of researchers around the world are tirelessly working to make each next step a little closer to life. Because in science, as in life, progress is often measured not in leaps but in steady, human steps<\/strong>. At Kapa3<\/strong>, we are committed to sharing this news in a clear and useful way for everyone.<\/p>\n

Read the review here<\/a><\/p>\n

Sources:<\/p>\n

Hwang W. et al. \u201cEmerging EGFR-Targeted Therapy in Head and Neck Cancer: A Review.\u201d JAMA Oncology<\/em> (2025).
\nWorld Health Organization \u2013 Cancer Research Updates<\/p>\n

Text\/adaptation: Ifiyenia for Kapa3<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When science moves forward step by step Progress in oncology does not always come with dramatic announcements. Often, it is found in studies that show small but meaningful steps. One … Continue reading EGFR: An \u201cOld Target\u201d Gaining New Life in Cancer Research<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[749,746,748,218,704,588,688,593,206,739,750,742,747,682,608,707,751,495,190],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nEGFR: An \u201cOld Target\u201d Gaining New Life in Cancer Research - K3<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kapa3.gr\/en\/egfr-an-old-target-gaining-new-life-in-cancer-research\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"EGFR: An \u201cOld Target\u201d Gaining New Life in Cancer Research - K3\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"When science moves forward step by step Progress in oncology does not always come with dramatic announcements. 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