Therapeutics Advances
Copyright ©2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Clin Cases. Sep 16, 2014; 2(9): 432-438
Published online Sep 16, 2014. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v2.i9.432
Targeting EGFR and sonic hedgehog pathways for locally advanced eyelid and periocular carcinomas
Vivian T Yin, Helen Merritt, Bita Esmaeli
Vivian T Yin, Bita Esmaeli, Orbital Oncology and Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery Program, Department of Plastic Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, United States
Helen Merritt, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Texas Medical School, Houston, TX 77030, United States
Author contributions: Yin VT and Esmaeli B were involved in the writing and editing of the manuscript; Merritt H co-ordinated and provided writing and literature review.
Correspondence to: Bita Esmaeli, MD, FACS, Orbital Oncology and Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery, Department of Plastic Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Unit 1488, Houston, TX 77030, United States. besmaeli@mdanderson.org
Telephone: +1-713-7924457 Fax: +1-713-5638041
Received: February 16, 2014
Revised: July 24, 2014
Accepted: August 27, 2014
Published online: September 16, 2014
Abstract

For patients with metastatic or locally advanced eyelid and periocular carcinoma not amenable to surgical excision, targeted therapies have shown efficacy with better tolerability compared to cytotoxic chemotherapy. Overexpression of epithelial growth factor receptor was found in squamous cell carcinomas. Vismodegib targets the mutation in the hedgehog pathway identified in basal cell carcinoma and basal cell nevus syndrome. Targeted therapies provide a novel and potentially effective treatment alternative for patients with eyelid carcinoma not amendable for surgery, including those with metastatic, locally advanced disease, advanced age, and significant comorbidities. High cost, need for long-term treatment, and toxicity are relative limitations.

Keywords: Vismodegib, Periocular basal cell carcinoma, Sonic hedgehog, Epithelial growth factor receptor inhibition, Periocular squamous cell carcinoma

Core tip: Targeted therapies provide a novel and potentially effective treatment alternative for patients with eyelid carcinoma not amendable for surgery, including those with metastatic, locally advanced disease, advanced age, and significant comorbidities. High cost, need for long-term treatment, and toxicity are relative limitations.