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PMID: 16722544 Published · epublish English Journal Article Review

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in head and neck cancer: its role and treatment implications.

Radiation oncology (London, England) ·Vol. 1 ·2006-05-02 ·Pages 11

Zimmermann M, Zouhair A, Azria D, Ozsahin M

Abstract

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a member of the ErbB family of receptors. Its stimulation by endogenous ligands, EGF or transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) results in activation of intracellular tyrosine kinase, therefore, cell cycle progression. High levels of EGFR expression are correlated with poor prognosis and resistance to radiation therapy in a variety of cancers, mostly in squamous-cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). Blocking the EGFR by a monoclonal antibody results in inhibition of the stimulation of the receptor, therefore, in inhibition of cell proliferation, enhanced apoptosis, and reduced angiogenesis, invasiveness and metastases. The EGFR is a prime target for new anticancer therapy in SCCHN, and other agents in development include small molecular tyrosine kinase inhibitors and antisense therapies.

MeSH Terms
Antibodies, Monoclonal/chemistry,therapeutic use Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use Cell Cycle Cetuximab Clinical Trials as Topic ErbB Receptors/physiology Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic Head and Neck Neoplasms/metabolism,radiotherapy,therapy Humans Ligands Oligonucleotides, Antisense/therapeutic use Prognosis Transforming Growth Factor alpha/metabolism Treatment Outcome
Chemicals
Antibodies, Monoclonal Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized Antineoplastic Agents Ligands Oligonucleotides, Antisense Transforming Growth Factor alpha ErbB Receptors Cetuximab
Authors & Affiliations
4 authors, click to expand affiliations / ORCID
Zimmermann Michel
Department of Radiation Oncology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Bugnon 46, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland. [email protected]
Zouhair Abderrahim
Azria David
Ozsahin Mahmut
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Article Info
Journal
Radiation oncology (London, England)
Abbr.
Radiat Oncol
ISSN
1748-717X
DOI
10.1186/1748-717X-1-11
Email
[email protected]
Published
2006-05-02
Epub
2006-00-02
Pages
11
Language
English
Region
England
NLM ID
101265111
PMCID
PMC1524965
Subset
IM
External Links
PubMed source DOI: 10.1186/1748-717X-1-11 PMC Full Text View journal details
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