Cetuximab-induced natural killer cell cytotoxicity in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines: investigation of the role of cetuximab sensitivity and HPV status

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is overexpressed by 80-90% of squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck (HNSCC). In addition to inhibiting EGFR signal transduction, cetuximab, a monoclonal antibody targeting EGFR can also bind to fragment crystallisable domain of immunoglobulins G1 present on natural killer (NK), causing antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). However, presence of cetuximab resistance limits effective...