Emerging EGFR antagonists for breast cancer.
BACKGROUND
The EGFR has been associated with the pathogenesis and progression of breast cancer. Treatment based on an EGFR target is emerging as a promising option, especially in combination with conventional therapies. Unfortunately, there are no validated predictor biomarkers, and combinatorial treatments are meeting new resistance.


METHODS
The purpose of this review is to summarize the existing treatments and the current research based on targeting the EGFR pathway.


CONCLUSIONS
The existing EGFR treatments in breast cancer have shown limited benefit. The combination of the monoclonal antibody cetuximab and platinum salts achieves a 15 - 20% response rate. The effectiveness of tyrosine kinase inhibitors is not completely clear, showing modest or no benefits. Gefitinib treatment has offered some promising results in estrogen receptor + breast cancer. However, it has not been identified as a predictive factor for the appropriate selection of patients. Radioimmunotherapy with anti-EGFR radiolabeled antibodies is a promising strategy in BRCA-mutated breast cancer, but it still requires clinical confirmation. Nevertheless, the crosstalk between pathways frequently leads to treatment resistance. Current research is focused on increasing knowledge about the mechanisms of response and the discovery of predictive markers. Targeting several pathways simultaneously and a correct selection of patients seem essential.
Hospital Clinico Universitario, INCLIVA Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Oncology and Hematology , Valencia , Spain +0034 963987659 ; lluch_ana@gva.es.
Ana
A
Lluch
Pilar
P
Eroles
Jose-Alejandro
JA
Perez-Fidalgo
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000068818:Cetuximab; D055808:Drug Discovery; D058750:Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D000077156:Gefitinib; D006801:Humans; D000077544:Panitumumab; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011799:Quinazolines; D000077544:Panitumumab; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D000068818:Cetuximab; D000077156:Gefitinib
EGFR; angiogenesis; breast cancer; cetuximab; erlotinib; gefitinib; tyrosine kinase inhibitor