Epidermal growth factor receptor biology (IMC-C225)

Treatment of solid tumors despite improved techniques in detection, surgery , radiation therapy, and chemotherapy remains difficult. Therefore, strateg ies to improve efficacy in accord with safety are needed. Many epithelial c ancers have been found to overexpress the receptor to epidermal growth fact or (EGFR), including head and neck, breast, colon, lung, prostate, kidney, ovary, brain, pancreas, and bladder. Because overexpression of EGFR has bee n associated with an overall poor prognosis in patients with cancer, a numb er of strategies to block or downregulate EGFR have been developed to inhib it tumor proliferation and improve overall clinical outcome. These include monoclonal antibodies to the EGFR, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, ligand-linke d toxins, and antisense approaches. Antibodies such as IMC-C225 specificall y target EGF receptors, whereas tyrosine kinase inhibition by many small mo lecules is less specific. Ultimately, IMC-C225 may prove to become a valuab le contributor in the treatment of cancer. This report will focus on IMC-C2 25, a novel monoclonal antibody that targets the EGFR. Curr Opin Oncol 2001 , 13;506-513 (C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.