title: The epidermal growth factor receptor as a target for colorectal cancer therapy.
abstract: The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is the prototypical member of the erbB receptor family. The EGFR axis is activated by a variety of ligands that are crucial in the formation and propagation of many tumors, including colorectal cancer, through their effects on cell signaling pathways, cellular proliferation, control of apoptosis, and angiogenesis. The importance of the EGFR axis in tumorigenesis and tumor progression makes it an attractive target for the development of anticancer therapies. A variety of targeting strategies to exploit the role of EGFR in tumors have been employed. The most highly developed of these anti-EGFR approaches are the monoclonal antibodies and the tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Clinical evaluations of these compounds have yielded some promising results. The role of the EGFR axis in colorectal cancer formation and progression is reviewed and the clinical development of these anticancer EGFR-targeted drugs is reviewed and updated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology Oncology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
authors.forename: A Craig
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Lockhart
authors.forename: Craig
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lockhart
authors.forename: Jordan D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Berlin
mesh_terms: D000634:Aminoquinolines; D000814:Aniline Compounds; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D000068818:Cetuximab; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000502:physiology; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; D000077156:Gefitinib; D006801:Humans; D000077341:Lapatinib; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077544:Panitumumab; D011379:Prognosis; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D000634:Aminoquinolines; D000814:Aniline Compounds; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D011743:Pyrimidines; D011758:Pyrroles; D011799:Quinazolines; D000077341:Lapatinib; D000077544:Panitumumab; C410026:PKI 166; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D000068818:Cetuximab; D000077156:Gefitinib; C413879:EKB 569