Targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor in non-small-cell lung cancer: who, which, when, and how?
Aberrations in the signaling cascade of the epidermal growth factor receptor are common to several solid tumors. Compounds aimed at targeting this pathway have been approved for use by the US Food and Drug Administration for lung, head and neck, pancreas, and colorectal carcinomas. Unfortunately, only the minority of patients treated with this class of agents will have responses or improvements in survival. This article reviews the data on agents that exploit tumor dependency on epidermal growth factor receptor cascade and describes the knowledge on how to discern the appropriate patient population for receiving these agents.
Juergens
Rosalyn
R
Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins CRB-186, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA. rjuergens@jhmi.edu
Brahmer
Julie
J
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000068818:Cetuximab; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; D005260:Female; D000077156:Gefitinib; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011799:Quinazolines; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D000068818:Cetuximab; D000077156:Gefitinib