Advances in Targeted and Systemic Therapy for Salivary Gland Carcinomas: Current Options and Future Directions

Salivary gland carcinomas (SGCs) represent a rare and heterogeneous group of malignancies accounting for 3–6% of all head and neck cancers. While surgical resection and radiotherapy remain the standard for locoregional control, systemic treatment is indicated for recurrent or metastatic disease. Adv...

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Main Authors: Sushanth Sreenivasan, Rahim A. Jiwani, Richard White, Veli Bakalov, Ryan Moll, Joseph Liput, Larisa Greenberg
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Current Oncology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1718-7729/32/4/232
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author Sushanth Sreenivasan
Rahim A. Jiwani
Richard White
Veli Bakalov
Ryan Moll
Joseph Liput
Larisa Greenberg
author_facet Sushanth Sreenivasan
Rahim A. Jiwani
Richard White
Veli Bakalov
Ryan Moll
Joseph Liput
Larisa Greenberg
author_sort Sushanth Sreenivasan
collection DOAJ
description Salivary gland carcinomas (SGCs) represent a rare and heterogeneous group of malignancies accounting for 3–6% of all head and neck cancers. While surgical resection and radiotherapy remain the standard for locoregional control, systemic treatment is indicated for recurrent or metastatic disease. Advances in molecular profiling have identified actionable targets such as NTRK gene fusions, HER2, immune checkpoint regulators, androgen receptors, and RET receptors. These have facilitated the development of targeted therapies, including TRK inhibitors, HER2-directed agents, and androgen receptor modulators, as well as emerging combinations of immunotherapy and chemotherapy. Despite these advancements, challenges such as resistance mechanisms and limited therapeutic efficacy persist. Overall response rates remain relatively low across most systemic therapies, reflecting a persistent unmet clinical need. This review discusses the current landscape of treatment options and explores promising clinical trials and future directions to enhance outcomes for patients with SGCs.
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publishDate 2025-04-01
publisher MDPI AG
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series Current Oncology
spelling doaj-art-57ffd16f9c4f4b05b3aecfd987e01c152025-08-20T02:28:12ZengMDPI AGCurrent Oncology1198-00521718-77292025-04-0132423210.3390/curroncol32040232Advances in Targeted and Systemic Therapy for Salivary Gland Carcinomas: Current Options and Future DirectionsSushanth Sreenivasan0Rahim A. Jiwani1Richard White2Veli Bakalov3Ryan Moll4Joseph Liput5Larisa Greenberg6Division of Internal Medicine, Allegheny Health Network, 320 East North Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15212, USADivision of Medical Oncology, Allegheny Health Network, 314 East North Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15212, USADivision of Medical Oncology, Allegheny Health Network, 314 East North Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15212, USADivision of Medical Oncology, Allegheny Health Network, 314 East North Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15212, USADivision of Medical Oncology, Allegheny Health Network, 314 East North Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15212, USADivision of Medical Oncology, Allegheny Health Network, 314 East North Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15212, USADivision of Medical Oncology, Allegheny Health Network, 314 East North Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15212, USASalivary gland carcinomas (SGCs) represent a rare and heterogeneous group of malignancies accounting for 3–6% of all head and neck cancers. While surgical resection and radiotherapy remain the standard for locoregional control, systemic treatment is indicated for recurrent or metastatic disease. Advances in molecular profiling have identified actionable targets such as NTRK gene fusions, HER2, immune checkpoint regulators, androgen receptors, and RET receptors. These have facilitated the development of targeted therapies, including TRK inhibitors, HER2-directed agents, and androgen receptor modulators, as well as emerging combinations of immunotherapy and chemotherapy. Despite these advancements, challenges such as resistance mechanisms and limited therapeutic efficacy persist. Overall response rates remain relatively low across most systemic therapies, reflecting a persistent unmet clinical need. This review discusses the current landscape of treatment options and explores promising clinical trials and future directions to enhance outcomes for patients with SGCs.https://www.mdpi.com/1718-7729/32/4/232salivary gland carcinomatargeted therapyhead and neck tumorsimmunotherapypleomorphic adenomachemotherapy
spellingShingle Sushanth Sreenivasan
Rahim A. Jiwani
Richard White
Veli Bakalov
Ryan Moll
Joseph Liput
Larisa Greenberg
Advances in Targeted and Systemic Therapy for Salivary Gland Carcinomas: Current Options and Future Directions
Current Oncology
salivary gland carcinoma
targeted therapy
head and neck tumors
immunotherapy
pleomorphic adenoma
chemotherapy
title Advances in Targeted and Systemic Therapy for Salivary Gland Carcinomas: Current Options and Future Directions
title_full Advances in Targeted and Systemic Therapy for Salivary Gland Carcinomas: Current Options and Future Directions
title_fullStr Advances in Targeted and Systemic Therapy for Salivary Gland Carcinomas: Current Options and Future Directions
title_full_unstemmed Advances in Targeted and Systemic Therapy for Salivary Gland Carcinomas: Current Options and Future Directions
title_short Advances in Targeted and Systemic Therapy for Salivary Gland Carcinomas: Current Options and Future Directions
title_sort advances in targeted and systemic therapy for salivary gland carcinomas current options and future directions
topic salivary gland carcinoma
targeted therapy
head and neck tumors
immunotherapy
pleomorphic adenoma
chemotherapy
url https://www.mdpi.com/1718-7729/32/4/232
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AT richardwhite advancesintargetedandsystemictherapyforsalivaryglandcarcinomascurrentoptionsandfuturedirections
AT velibakalov advancesintargetedandsystemictherapyforsalivaryglandcarcinomascurrentoptionsandfuturedirections
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