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Proteogenomics helps treat certain squamous cell carcinomas
Proteogenomic analysis may offer new insight into matching cancer patients with an effective therapy for their particular cancer. A new study identifies three molecular subtypes in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) that could be used to better determine appropriate treatment. The research led by Baylor College of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University and the National Cancer Institute’s Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (CPTAC) is published in the journal Cancer Cell.
Researchers profiled proteins, phosphosites and signaling pathways in 108 human papillomavirus-negative HNSCC tumors in order to understand how genetic aberrations drive tumor behavior and response to therapies. Currently, there are a few FDA-approved therapies for HNSCC, including an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibody (mAb) inhibitor and two PD-1 inhibitors, but response rates are moderate. In this study, researchers aimed to find out why certain patients respond to certain treatments to better match the patient to an appropriate course of treatment.