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Gefitinib — a novel targeted approach to treating cancer

Nature Reviews Cancer volume 4, pages 956–965 (2004)Cite this article

Abstract

Twenty years after the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was identified as a potential anticancer target, the EGFR inhibitor gefitinib (Iressa; AstraZeneca) has been approved for the treatment of patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer in many countries. Studies have indicated its potential for treating patients with other types of solid tumours. Investigation of gefitinib has not only increased our knowledge about the biology of EGFR signalling, but is contributing to our evolving understanding of which tumours are EGFR dependent.

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Figure 1: The epidermal growth factor receptor signalling pathway.
Figure 2: The epidermal growth factor receptor.

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Acknowledgements

Our thanks to all of the patients with lung cancer who enrolled in clinical studies with gefitinib and other agents.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. the Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 432, Houston, 77030, Texas, USA

    Roy S. Herbst

  2. the Department of Medical Oncology, Kinki University School of Medicine, 377-2, Ohno-higashi, Osakasayama City, 589-8511, Osaka, Japan

    Masahiro Fukuoka

  3. the Medical Oncology Service, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, P Vall d'Hebron 119-129, Barcelona, 08035, Spain

    José Baselga

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  1. Roy S. Herbst
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Correspondence to Roy S. Herbst.

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All authors have served as consultants for, and received research support from, AstraZeneca.

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DATABASES

Entrez Gene

AKT

EGFR

ERBB2

γ-catenin

FLT1

KDR

p27

STAT5A

STAT5B

VEGF

National Cancer Institute

breast cancer

colorectal cancer

head and neck cancer

non-small-cell lung cancer

ovarian cancer

FURTHER INFORMATION

Epidermal growth factor receptor information and resources

Information on gefitinib

National Cancer Institute's Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program

National Cancer Institute's information on the Expanded Access Program

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Herbst, R., Fukuoka, M. & Baselga, J. Gefitinib — a novel targeted approach to treating cancer. Nat Rev Cancer 4, 956–965 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrc1506

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