Epidermal growth factor receptor as a target for chemotherapy.

摘要: The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is overexpressed in as many 77% of colorectal cancer (CRC) cases. EGFR known to be involved carcinogenetic processes such cell proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, motility, and metastasis. Preclinical clinical studies have shown that targeting a valid strategy for anticancer therapy. Currently, 2 classes anti-EGFR agents are phase II/III development: monoclonal antibodies tyrosine kinase (TK) inhibitors. most established antibody cetuximab, the only inhibitor currently approved use patients with metastatic CRC. Several single agent or combination irinotecan, promising efficacy Two other antibodies, matuzumab (EMD 72000) panitumumab (ABG-EGF), also activity against EGFR-expressing CRC but still early stage development. TK inhibitors erlotinib gefitinib already been investigated III trials non-small-lung cancer, suggesting sequential rather than concurrent erlotinib/gefitinib-based treatment provides benefit outcome. EGFR-targeting reasonably well tolerated limited overlapping toxicities cytotoxic drugs. common side effect an acneiform skin rash, which associated outcome Future needed establish these investigate therapies combining EGFR-targeted describe additional markers determining