Abstract
The epidermal growth factor receptor family plays an important role in the pathogenesis of human epithelial tumors. Overexpression is associated with poor prognosis and resistance to therapy. Epidermal growth factor receptor family members activate signal transduction pathways that have been implicated in radioresistance, and inhibition of signal transduction pathways involved in epidermal growth factor receptor family member signaling causes radiosensitization. Recent encouraging results indicate that epidermal growth factor receptor family member inhibitors may be specific, effective radiosensitizers in tumors that overexpress one or more of these receptors.
MeSH terms
-
Animals
-
Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
-
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
-
Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
-
Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
-
Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
-
Breast Neoplasms / genetics
-
Breast Neoplasms / radiotherapy
-
Cell Cycle
-
Cetuximab
-
ErbB Receptors / antagonists & inhibitors*
-
ErbB Receptors / genetics
-
Gene Expression
-
Genes, erbB-2*
-
Head and Neck Neoplasms / drug therapy*
-
Head and Neck Neoplasms / radiotherapy
-
Humans
-
Immunologic Factors / pharmacology
-
Immunologic Factors / therapeutic use*
-
Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / pharmacology
-
Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / therapeutic use*
-
Signal Transduction
Substances
-
Antibodies, Monoclonal
-
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
-
Antineoplastic Agents
-
Immunologic Factors
-
Radiation-Sensitizing Agents
-
ErbB Receptors
-
Cetuximab