'Targeting' the epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase with gefitinib (Iressa) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Review uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • Gefitinib (ZD1839, Iressa), a selective drug inhibitor of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase (TK), was recently approved for the treatment of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This article reviews the identification of EGFR as a therapeutic target and the steps in the development of gefitinib as "targeted" monotherapy for patients with NSCLC. Whether EGFR is required for the maintenance of lung tumor survival is also discussed. Finally, strategies to identify predictors of response to gefitinib are explored.

publication date

  • February 1, 2004

Research

keywords

  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Lung Neoplasms
  • Quinazolines

Identity

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 0742321974

PubMed ID

  • 14757534

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 14

issue

  • 1