Applications and challenges of EGFR inhibitors in the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

This article reviews the latest progress in the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors, the mechanisms of drug resistance, and the corresponding countermeasures. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma has the characteristics of high invasiveness and metastatic potential. As a key therapeutic target, EGFR inhibitors (such as apatinib and cetuximab) significantly improve the survival rate of patients with locally advanced and recurrent metastatic NPC by inhibiting the EGFR signaling pathway. However, the efficacy of EGFR inhibitors is limited by drug resistance and adverse reactions. Adverse reactions can be controlled by reducing the dosage. The mechanisms of drug resistance are diverse, including primary resistance, secondary mutations, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and changes in the tumor microenvironment. This review systematically summarizes the current application status, challenges, and future development prospects of EGFR-targeted therapy, providing a theoretical basis for clinical practice.