Targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor in non-small cell lung cancer.
The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been implicated in a multiplicity of cancer-related signal transduction pathways like cellular proliferation, adhesion, migration, neoangiogenesis and apoptosis inhibition, all of them important features of cancerogenesis and tumour progression. The inhibition of this receptor has been discovered as a suitable pharmaceutical intervention aimed at interrupting tumour activity. In cancer, both monoclonal antibodies and small molecules with anti-tyrosine kinase activity have been assessed in several trials with significant efficacy in clinical applications. The current review focuses in particular on the clinical data of EGFR inhibition in non-small cell lung cancer with emphasis on tyrosine kinase inhibition.
Clinic for Thoracic Diseases, University of Heidelberg, Germany. martin.steins@thoraxklinik-heidelberg.de
Martin B
MB
Steins
Niels
N
Reinmuth
Helge
H
Bischoff
Markus
M
Kindermann
Michael
M
Thomas
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D000068818:Cetuximab; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; D000077156:Gefitinib; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D010880:Piperidines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D010880:Piperidines; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011799:Quinazolines; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D000068818:Cetuximab; D000077156:Gefitinib; C452423:vandetanib