EGFR - An Evolving Cancer Target

The Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) plays an important role in initiating the signaling that directs the behaviour of epithelial cells and tumors of epithelial origin. EGFR is involved in cell signaling that controls cell proliferation, survival, and metastasis by regulating diverse cellular pathways, and is the most frequently mutated receptor in lung cancer (10% in the USA, 35% in Asia) [1,2], prompting an intensive effort to develop an effective drug to overcome EGFR-mutant-driven cancers. Resistance to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors occurs in many cases of lung cancer. Here, we present a concise overview of the mechanisms involved in resistance and discusses a new approach to overcoming them.