Category: Epidermal growth factor receptor

Clinical Outcomes of patients with Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) mutations in IPASS (Iressatm Pan Asia Study)

August 2, 2009 by srrpenna

An epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a protein found on the surface of cells to which an epidermal growth factor (EGF) binds. When an EGF attaches to an EGFR, it activates the enzyme tyrosine kinase, triggering reactions that cause the cells to grow and multiply. An EGFR is found at abnormally high levels on the surface of many types of cancer cells, which may divide excessively in the presence of an EGF. The drug gefitinib is intended to attach to the EGFR and, thereby, inhibit the attachment of EGF and stop cancer cell division.