Targeting HER1/EGFR in cancer therapy: experience with erlotinib.
Research into the role of the human epidermal receptor growth factor receptor 1/epidermal growth factor receptor (HER1/EGFR) in tumorigenesis has generated a new class of anticancer drugs. One such agent, erlotinib (Tarceva), is a potent, selective and reversible inhibitor of HER1/EGFR tyrosine kinase activity. Erlotinib has demonstrated the clinical activity in a variety of solid tumors, and has recently demonstrated improvements in survival in large Phase III trials, in non-small-cell lung cancer and pancreatic cancer.
Vrije Universiteit Medical Center, Head of Division of Medical Oncology, 1117 De Boelelaan, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. g.giaccone@vumc.nl
Giuseppe
G
Giaccone
D000818:Animals; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000187:drug effects*; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011799:Quinazolines; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; D066246:ErbB Receptors