EGFR inhibitors: what have we learned from the treatment of lung cancer? Review uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • Tyrosine kinase inhibitors directed against the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are the first molecular-targeted agents to be approved in the US and other countries for the treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer after failure of chemotherapy. Some patient characteristics, such as never-smoking, female gender, East Asian origin, adenocarcinoma histology, and bronchioloalveolar subtype, are associated with a greater benefit from treatment with EGFR inhibitors. Recently, studies have identified gene mutations targeting the kinase domain of the EGFR that are related to the response to inhibitors. Most EGFR mutations predict a higher benefit from treatment compared with wild-type receptors and are correlated with clinical features related to better outcome; some EGFR mutations, however, confer drug resistance. The analysis of material usually available from lung cancer patients, using techniques such as direct sequencing to determine EGFR mutational status, can be technically challenging. In this regard, high EGFR copy number and EGFR protein detected by immunohistochemistry can also be used to select those patients who would benefit from treatment. Prospective validation of biological and clinical markers of sensitivity needs to be performed.

publication date

  • November 1, 2005

Research

keywords

  • Adenocarcinoma
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Lung Neoplasms

Identity

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 28444468144

PubMed ID

  • 16270096

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 2

issue

  • 11