Genomic alterations in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/ERBB2) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Christine H. Chung, Alexis Germain, Rathan M. Subramaniam, Andreas M. Heilmann, Kyle Fedorchak, Siraj M. Ali, Vincent A. Miller, Robert A. Palermo, Carole Fakhry

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Despite recent advances, survival outcomes for those with metastatic or recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) have remained poor. Novel approaches should be investigated to improve outcomes. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed of a patient who presented with a TNM classification III HNSCC of the oropharynx, positive for human papillomavirus (HPV) who had a complete response to a human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-targeted therapy. Amplification rates of HER2 in the HNSCC Cancer Genome Atlas Network (TCGA) dataset and the FoundationOne genomic profiling dataset were evaluated. Results: Comprehensive genomic profiling of the tumor obtained from the dermal metastasis identified amplification of HER2. Data from TCGA and FoundationOne showed that the frequency of HER2 alteration was not observed to vary significantly with HPV tumor status. Conclusion: This case demonstrates the application of genomic profiling to guide treatments in a patient with HNSCC with advanced metastatic disease refractory to standard of care therapies.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)E15-E19
JournalHead and Neck
Volume39
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2017

Keywords

  • biomarker
  • genomic profiling
  • head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
  • human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)
  • trastuzumab

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Otorhinolaryngology

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