Role of an anti-epidermal growth factor receptor in treating cancer

Recent technological advances, together with the discovery of the important role many growth factors play in modulating cell proliferation and differe ntiation, have led to the development of novel therapeutic agents for the t reatment of cancer. In particular, advances in hybridoma technology and mol ecular engineering have permitted the development of humanized or chimeric monoclonal antibodies capable of interfering with growth factor signaling p athways. One promising target of interest is the epidermal growth factor re ceptor (EGFr), which is activated by the ligands EGF and TGF-alpha. This li gand receptor interaction plays a crucial role in the growth and survival o f many human cancers. A chimeric (human/mouse) monoclonal antibody cetuxima b (IMC-C225) targets the EGFr and has potential clinical value as an antica ncer agent.