title: Anti-epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibodies in cancer therapy.
abstract: The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptor involved in the proliferation and survival of cancer cells. EGFR is the first molecular target against which monoclonal antibodies (mAb) have been developed for cancer therapy. Here we review the mechanisms underlying the effects of EGFR-specific mAb in cancer therapy. The efficacy of EGFR-specific mAb in cancer occurs thanks to inhibition of EGFR-generated signalling; furthermore, the effects of antibodies on the immune system seem to play an important role in determining the overall anti-tumour response. In this review, attention is focused on cetuximab and panitumumab, two mAb introduced recently into clinical practice for treatment of metastatic colorectal and head and neck cancer which target the external part of EGFR.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento Medico-Chirurgico di Internistica Clinica, Seconda Università degli Studi di Napoli, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Martinelli
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: De Palma
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Orditura
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: De Vita
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ciardiello
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068818:Cetuximab; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000276:immunology; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D000077544:Panitumumab; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000077544:Panitumumab; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D000068818:Cetuximab