Targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor in the treatment of colorectal cancer: state of the art.

摘要: The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is an important mediator of normal cellular processes such as growth, survival, differentiation and morphogenesis. Disturbances in the EGFR pathway have been associated with development progression malignancy, including proliferation, angiogenesis, invasion/metastasis anti-apoptosis, well resistance to chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. As a result, this excellent rationale for treatment EGFR-specific therapeutic agents. These agents may be EGFR-targeted antibodies or small molecules that inactivate tyrosine kinase. While only cetuximab has received US FDA approval colorectal cancer, numerous are currently clinical trials constitute area intensive, ongoing research.