Present status and vision of chemotherapy for head and neck cancer —how to reduce the drug lag—

Abstract

Recently, the development of molecular-targeted drugs for the treatment of head and neck cancer has progressed, but there are no drugs available for head and neck cancer in Japan. This time difference is known as “drug lag”. This article discusses how to reduce the drug lag for head and neck cancer. In head and neck oncology in Japan, there are many problems including a small number of physicians who are familiar with chemotherapy for head and neck cancer, poor infrastructure for clinical trials and great differences in treatment strategy among institutions. From personal experience in studying medical oncology at the National Cancer Center Hospital East for two years, I am convinced that the first step to reduce the drug lag is to increase the number of physicians who are familiar with chemotherapy for head and neck cancer. © 2010, Japan Society for Head and Neck Cancer. All rights reserved.