Anti-epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibodies in cancer treatment

Jaume Capdevila; Elena Elez; Teresa Macarulla; Francisco Javier Ramos; Manuel Ruiz-Echarri; Josep Tabernero

doi:10.1016/j.ctrv.2009.02.001

Anti-epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibodies in cancer treatment

Cancer Treat Rev. 2009 Jun;35(4):354-63. doi: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2009.02.001. Epub 2009 Mar 6.

Authors

Jaume Capdevila¹, Elena Elez, Teresa Macarulla, Francisco Javier Ramos, Manuel Ruiz-Echarri, Josep Tabernero

Affiliation

¹ Medical Oncology Department, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain. [email protected]

PMID: 19269105
DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2009.02.001

Abstract

Although the prognosis of cancer remains poor recent advances in the diagnostic methods, new approaches in surgical procedures and the development of new therapeutic agents have had a significant impact in the outcome of cancer patients. A better understanding of the molecular pathways that characterize cell growth, apoptosis, angiogenesis and invasion has provided novel targets in cancer therapy. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mediated signal transduction has been one of the most studied pathways in carcinogenesis. The phosphorylation of EGFR activates multiple biological processes including apoptosis, differentiation, cellular proliferation, motility, invasion, adhesion, DNA repair and survival. Several therapies have been developed to inactivate the EGFR pathway including monoclonal antibodies against the extracellular domain of EGFR. In this review, the authors examine the development of monoclonal antibodies against EGFR and the effects of this blockage in cell cycle, as well as the most important trials with these monoclonal antibodies in several tumor types.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / drug therapy
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / immunology
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / mortality
Cetuximab
Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic
Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic
Colorectal Neoplasms / drug therapy
Colorectal Neoplasms / mortality
Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology
Drug Delivery Systems
ErbB Receptors / antagonists & inhibitors*
ErbB Receptors / immunology
ErbB Receptors / therapeutic use
Female
Head and Neck Neoplasms / drug therapy
Head and Neck Neoplasms / mortality
Head and Neck Neoplasms / pathology
Humans
Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy
Lung Neoplasms / immunology
Lung Neoplasms / mortality
Male
Neoplasm Staging
Neoplasms / drug therapy*
Neoplasms / immunology
Neoplasms / mortality
Neovascularization, Pathologic / immunology
Neovascularization, Pathologic / prevention & control*
Panitumumab
Prognosis
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
Risk Assessment
Survival Analysis
Treatment Outcome

Substances

Antibodies, Monoclonal
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
Panitumumab
ErbB Receptors
matuzumab
Cetuximab