title: Development of strategies for the use of anti-growth factor treatments.
abstract: Aberrant signalling through the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is associated with increased cancer cell proliferation, reduced apoptosis, invasion and angiogenesis. Over-expression of the EGFR is seen in a variety of tumours and is a rational target for antitumour strategies. Among the classes of agent targeting the EGFR are small-molecule inhibitors, which include gefitinib (IRESSA), which acts by preventing EGFR phosphorylation and downstream signal transduction. De novo and acquired resistance, however, have been reported to gefitinib and here we describe evidence which indicates that the type II receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) insulin-like growth factor-I receptor (IGF-IR) and/or insulin receptor (InsR) play important roles in the mediation of responses to gefitinib in the de novo- and acquired-resistance phenotypes in several cancer types. Moreover, combination strategies that additionally target the IGF-IR/InsR can enhance the antitumour effects of gefitinib.
authors.affiliation: Tenovus Centre for Cancer Research, Welsh School of Pharmacy, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK. joneshe1@cardiff.ac.uk
authors.forename: H E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: J M W
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Gee
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Barrow
authors.forename: H D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rubini
authors.forename: R I
authors.initials: RI
authors.lastname: Nicholson
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D000077156:Gefitinib; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011799:Quinazolines; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D000077156:Gefitinib