Dr. Cohen on Biomarker Testing in Head and Neck Cancer

Ezra Cohen, MD, associate director, Moores Cancer Center, professor of Medicine, University of California, San Diego Health System, discusses biomarker testing in patients with head and neck cancer.

Biomarkers will play a major role in the treatment of patients with head and neck cancer, according to Cohen. If novel agents such as afatinib (Gilotrif) are approved for treatment in this setting, then the next step will focus strongly on biomarker testing.

A priori testing, such as p16 status, will be important, says Cohen. Moreover, fluorescence in situ hybridization is commercially available and could be used, as well. Overall, the goal is to use use these biomarkers to select patients who may be good candidates for specific agents, says Cohen.