BioCentury
ARTICLE | Distillery Therapeutics

Cancer

July 10, 2018 9:41 PM UTC

Cell culture and mouse studies suggest BRD4 inhibitors could help treat cetuximab-resistant squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). In two human cetuximab-resistant SCCHN cell lines, cetuximab plus BRD4 knockdown or a tool compound BRD4 inhibitor decreased viability compared with cetuximab alone. In two patient-derived xenograft mouse models of cetuximab-resistant SCCHN, the BRD4 inhibitor plus cetuximab decreased tumor volume. Next steps could include testing BRD4 inhibitors in models of other cetuximab-resistant head and neck cancers.

Eli Lilly and Co. markets Erbitux cetuximab for colorectal and head and neck cancers. At least three other companies have biosimilar versions of cetuximab at the IND or clinical stages of development...