What Are the Challenges in Targeting ErbB Receptors?
Despite the success of therapies targeting ErbB receptors, several challenges remain:
- Drug Resistance: Cancer cells often develop resistance to targeted therapies. Mechanisms of resistance include secondary mutations in the receptor, activation of alternative signaling pathways, and receptor crosstalk. - Toxicity: Targeted therapies can cause significant side effects, as ErbB receptors are also expressed in normal tissues. For example, EGFR inhibitors can cause skin rash and gastrointestinal issues. - Heterogeneity: Tumor heterogeneity can lead to varying levels of receptor expression and mutations within different regions of the same tumor, complicating treatment strategies.
