title: Targeted therapy for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer: focus on inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor.
abstract: Systemic chemotherapy is the standard treatment for patients with advanced stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and improves both their survival and quality of life. Despite this, the overall prognosis for advanced NSCLC remains poor. Molecularly targeted therapies are being developed in an effort to improve outcomes for patients with advanced NSCLC. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway is dysregulated in the majority of NSCLC tumors and plays a role in tumor growth and invasion. As such, EGFR has emerged as a rational target in the treatment of NSCLC. EGFR signal may be blocked with small molecule inhibitors of the tyrosine kinase of EGFR (erlotinib, gefitinib) and with monoclonal antibodies against the ligand-binding domain (cetuximab). Erlotinib and gefitinib are in clinical use as single agents for the treatment of NSCLC and recent data suggest cetuximab improves survival when combined with chemotherapy for the treatment of metastatic NSCLC. This article reviews the role of currently available and emerging EGFR inhibitors in the treatment of NSCLC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
authors.forename: Seema
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Harichand-Herdt
authors.forename: Suresh S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Ramalingam
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D000068818:Cetuximab; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; D000077156:Gefitinib; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011799:Quinazolines; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D000068818:Cetuximab; D000077156:Gefitinib