Open AccessRole of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors in the treatment of esophageal carcinoma and the suggested mechanisms of action
Author(s) -
Yaping Xu,
Liming Sheng,
Weimin Mao
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
oncology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.766
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1792-1082
pISSN - 1792-1074
DOI - 10.3892/ol.2012.994
Subject(s) - epidermal growth factor receptor , cancer research , tyrosine kinase , cyclin dependent kinase 8 , growth factor receptor inhibitor , signal transduction , biology , receptor tyrosine kinase , growth factor receptor , oncogene , a431 cells , cell cycle , egfr inhibitors , tyrosine kinase inhibitor , cancer , targeted therapy , epidermal growth factor , receptor , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , notch signaling pathway
Cumulative evidence indicates that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is one of the most commonly altered genes in human cancer, via overexpression, amplification and mutation. Targeted inhibition of EGFR activity suppresses signal transduction pathways which control tumor cell growth, proliferation and resistance to apoptosis. Small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are among the most common EGFR-targeting agents and have been used clinically to treat various malignancies. This review discusses the mechanism of action and clinical data that are relevant to the use of EGFR-TKIs in the treatment of esophageal carcinoma. The clinical and basic scientific experience of these agents thus far have implications for the future of therapeutic targeting of EGFR.