title: Targeting EGFR in metastatic colorectal cancer beyond the limitations of KRAS status: alternative biomarkers and therapeutic strategies.
abstract: Patients with metastatic colorectal cancer have a very poor prognosis. Incorporation of targeted molecular therapies, such as the anti-EGFR receptor monoclonal antibodies cetuximab and panitumumab, into treatment regimens has improved outcomes for patients with wild-type RAS tumors. Yet, response rates remain low and overall survival times are short. Increased understanding of oncogenic signaling pathways within the tumor, and how these are regulated by the inflammatory tumor microenvironment, is a priority to facilitate the development of biomarkers to better guide the use of existing therapies and to develop new ones. Here, we review recent preclinical and clinical progress in the development of biomarkers for predicting response to anti-EGFR therapy in metastatic colorectal cancer.
authors: Centre for Colorectal Disease, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin, Ireland.
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Caiazza
authors: Louise
authors: L
authors: Elliott
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Fennelly
authors: Kieran
authors: K
authors: Sheahan
authors: Glen A
authors: GA
authors: Doherty
authors: Elizabeth J
authors: EJ
authors: Ryan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D016283:Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras); D018631:ras Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C117307:KRAS protein, human; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D016283:Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras); D018631:ras Proteins
keywords: EGFR; ErbB; KRAS; biomarkers; cetuximab; colorectal cancer; monoclonal antibodies; targeted therapy