EGFR
Also known as: epidermal growth factor receptor
A protein on the surface of some cancer cells that can be blocked by targeted drugs.
Definition
EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) is a protein on the surface of cells that, when activated, tells the cell to grow and divide. In some cancers — most notably non-small-cell lung cancer, colorectal and head & neck cancers — EGFR is over-active because of mutations or over-expression, which drives the tumour to grow uncontrollably.
Identifying an EGFR mutation on tumour testing opens the door to targeted therapy with EGFR inhibitors (a class of tyrosine kinase inhibitors) or antibody drugs that block the receptor — treatments that are often more effective and better tolerated than standard chemotherapy for the right patients.
See also
- Targeted Therapy — Drugs designed to attack specific molecules involved in cancer growth, with less harm to normal cells.
- Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor (TKI) — Oral targeted drugs that block specific growth signals inside cancer cells.
- HER2 — A growth protein over-expressed in some breast and stomach cancers, which can be targeted with specific drugs.
- Genetic Testing — Tests that examine genes to find inherited risk or to guide cancer treatment.
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Medically reviewed by
Dr. Rehan Abdullah
Dr. Rehan Abdullah is a dual-trained clinical and radiation oncologist with over a decade of experience treating both solid tumours and hematologic malignancies. He serves as Consultant Oncologist at INMOL Hospital and sees patients at Farooq Hospital and Healthnox Medical Center, Lahore. Read full profile →
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