The Role of EGFR Inhibition in Colorectal Cancer

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), also known as the ErbB1 or HER1 receptor, triggers intricate and interrelated downstream signaling pathways that, when deregulated, can lead to malignant transformation. The EGFR has now become validated as a target for anticancer therapy, with both small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies showing clinical activity in some cancers. The biology of EGFR and the clinical data supporting its use as a target in colorectal cancer are explored in this chapter.