title: Critical update and emerging trends in epidermal growth factor receptor targeting in cancer.
abstract: The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a receptor tyrosine kinase of the ErbB receptor family that is abnormally activated in many epithelial tumors. The aberrant activation of the EGFR leads to enhanced proliferation and other tumor-promoting activities, which provide a strong rationale to target this receptor family. There are two classes of anti-EGFR agents: monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) directed at the extracellular domain of the receptor and small molecule, adenosine triphosphate-competitive inhibitors of the receptor's tyrosine kinase. Anti-EGFR MAbs have shown antitumor activity in advanced colorectal carcinoma, squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck, non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and renal cell carcinomas. The tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have a partially different activity profile. They are active against NSCLC, and a specific EGFR inhibitor has shown improvement in survival. Recently, mutations and amplifications of the EGFR gene have been identified in NSCLC and predict for enhanced sensitivity to anti-EGFR TKIs. In addition to specific anti-EGFR TKIs, there are broader acting inhibitors such as dual EGFR HER-2 inhibitors and combined anti-pan-ErbB and antivascular endothelial growth factor receptor inhibitors. Current research efforts are directed at selecting the optimal dose and schedule and identifying predictive factors of response and resistance beyond EGFR gene mutations and/or amplifications. Finally, there is a need for improved strategies to integrate anti-EGFR agents with conventional therapies and to explore combinations with other molecular targeted approaches including other antireceptor therapies, receptor-downstream signaling transduction inhibitors, and targeted approaches interfering with other essential drivers of cancer, such as angiogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology Service, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute and Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Paseo Vall d'Hebron 119-129, Barcelona 08035, Spain. jbaselga@vhebron.net
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Baselga
authors.forename: Carlos L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Arteaga
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases