Epidermal growth factor receptor in cancer therapy

Mikkel W. Pedersen, Hans S. Poulsen
From: Science & Medicine: Volume 8 Number 4: Page 206 (August 2002)

Abstract: The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been the focus of recent attention because of the key role it plays in several human cancers. While the normal receptor is involved in the regulation of cell proliferation, survival, and differentiation, mutations of this receptor can render it constitutively phosphorylated, constantly activated and able to promote tumor-enhancing signaling cascades. One of these mutations, EGFRvIII, occurs in a broad range of human cancers but not in normal cells, making it an ideal target for anti-cancer therapy. Several therapies targeting this receptor are nearing clinical usage, withmany other strategies exploiting the EGFR system in development.

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