Extending outcomes: epidermal growth factor receptor-targeted monoclonal antibodies in non-small-cell lung cancer.
The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway plays an important part in the formation of many epithelial malignancies and has been the target of intensive drug development. Although the small-molecule EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have an established role as single-agent therapy in the second- or third-line treatment of patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), they have failed to demonstrate any additive benefit when combined with standard cytotoxic chemotherapy. Monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) to EGFR are a distinct class of agents that differ significantly from the TKIs in their interaction with the EGFR pathway. A number of MoAbs targeting EGFR are currently in development and their clinical usefulness in the treatment of NSCLC is discussed, with particular attention given to cetuximab.
Joy
Anil A
AA
Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Butts
Charles A
CA
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D000068818:Cetuximab; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D000077544:Panitumumab; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; D000077544:Panitumumab; D066246:ErbB Receptors; C520777:matuzumab; D000068818:Cetuximab