title: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeted therapies in esophagogastric cancer.
abstract: Esophageal and gastric cancer incidence has been increasing worldwide. Most cases are diagnosed in advanced stages, and current therapy has not been able to improve the modest survival rates after diagnosis. Epidermal growth factor receptor expression has been found to correlate with poor prognosis and aggressive disease in esophagogastric cancers. Targeting these receptors through monoclonal antibody or downstream inhibition of tyrosine kinase has produced some encouraging results. The Trastuzumab for Gastric Cancer (ToGA) trial demonstrated that trastuzumab, a monoclonal antibody directed against the Her-2 receptor improves survival in Her-2 positive advanced gastric and gastro-esophageal cancers. Encouraging results have been reported in the ongoing clinical trials of EGFR-directed therapies in combination with concurrent chemoradiation for the locally advanced esophagogastric cancers. Identification of pertinent biomarkers of efficacy will likely lead to further optimization of EGFR-directed treatment. In the current article, we will be discussing the mechanisms of action, completed phase II/III trials and future of epidermal growth factor targeted-therapy in gastric and esophageal cancers.
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor Thoracic Oncology. University Hospitals/ Case Comprehensive cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106-1716, U.S.A. neelesh.sharma@uhhospitals.org.
authors.forename: Sabarish
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ayyappan
authors.forename: Dhivya
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Prabhakar
authors.forename: Neelesh
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sharma
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; C512478:EGFR protein, human; D066246:ErbB Receptors
keywords: EGFR; Esophageal cancer; cetuximab; gastric cancer; review; trastuzumab