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Combined therapies for cancer: a review of EGFR-targeted monotherapy and combination treatment with other drugs

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Abstract

Targeted therapy refers to anticancer treatment which specifically targets key molecules of cancer cells and/or neovascular cells, aiming to thus interfere with processes of tumorigenesis, cancer progression and metastasis. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was the first receptor to be proposed for targeted cancer therapy, having been found to be commonly overexpressed in a range of solid tumors and play a role in cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis. Despite successful development of EGFR-targeted pharmacological agents, clinical and molecular studies have indicated several limitations to the broad application of this treatment as a monotherapy. Novel combination treatments which might optimize the effect of EGFR inhibition have, therefore, been investigated. Research conducted into the mechanisms of action and synergy of these combination treatments is likely to enhance the role of the EGFR target in future cancer treatment.

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  1. Surgical Oncology Research Group, Oncology Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Wales Hospital, University of New South Wales, Level 2 Clinical Sciences Building, Sydney, NSW, 2031, Australia

    Beata Zahorowska & Jia-Lin Yang

  2. Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Wales Hospital, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Philip J. Crowe

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  1. Beata Zahorowska
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  2. Philip J. Crowe
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Correspondence to Jia-Lin Yang.

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Zahorowska, B., Crowe, P.J. & Yang, JL. Combined therapies for cancer: a review of EGFR-targeted monotherapy and combination treatment with other drugs. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 135, 1137–1148 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-009-0622-4

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