Colorectal cancer in review: the role of the EGFR pathway.
BACKGROUND
The overexpression of EGFR has been documented in 30-90% of cases of advanced colorectal cancer (CRC). An increased understanding of the EGFR pathway in CRC has paved the way for the development of other targeted agents to augment therapeutic efficacy as well as for efforts to circumvent tumor resistance to therapy.


METHODS
Our aim is to discuss the recent progress in the role of the EGFR pathway, the status of anti-EGFR therapeutic agents currently in use and the rationale for the development of novel agents that work along the pathway for the treatment of CRC.


RESULTS
The readers will learn about the development and evolution of mAbs directed against EGFR as well as tyrosine kinase inhibitors in the management of CRC patients. In the same vein, determination of optimal dosing and better methods of defining those subsets of patients most likely to benefit will be discussed.


CONCLUSIONS
All these data must encourage clinicians and basic researches to continue in their efforts to untangle the network behind EGFR and try to focus all that effort towards improving patient's quality of life as well as survival.
Saif
Muhammad W
MW
Yale University School of Medicine, Section of Medical Oncology, 333 Cedar Street, FMP 116, New Haven, CT 06520, USA. wasif.saif@yale.edu
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000494:pharmacology; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D015195:Drug Design; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D066246:ErbB Receptors