What are the Therapeutic Strategies Targeting the EGFR Family?
Several therapeutic strategies have been developed to target the EGFR family in cancer treatment:
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs): Small molecules that inhibit the kinase activity of EGFR family members. Examples include erlotinib, gefitinib, and osimertinib. Monoclonal antibodies: Target the extracellular domain of the receptor to prevent ligand binding and receptor dimerization. Examples include trastuzumab (HER2) and cetuximab (EGFR). Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs): Combine monoclonal antibodies with cytotoxic drugs to deliver targeted therapy. An example is ado-trastuzumab emtansine for HER2-positive breast cancer. Combination therapies: Combining EGFR inhibitors with other treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, or other targeted therapies to overcome resistance mechanisms.
