Targeting EGFR and IGF 1R: a promising combination therapy for metastatic cancer

Front Biosci (Schol Ed). 2013 Jan 1;5(1):231-46. doi: 10.2741/s369.

Abstract

Acute drug resistance, intolerable side effects and non-specific target activation are the crucial barriers for efficient translational outcome of target directed cancer drug discovery. In the last five years, many of the bull's eye drugs failed to obtain FDA approval because of highly complicated mechanisms of the targeting receptors. These receptors include epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and Insulin-like growth factor receptor 1 (IGF 1R), and are considered as pivotal signaling routes in highly transformed metastatic cancers. IGF 1R and EGFR families show homology in their structure and both the receptors share considerable crosstalk in their functions. An aberrant activation of these two pathways is often diagnosed among many cancer patients. Therefore, target based monoclonal antibodies and small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors, either in combination or co-targeting these two receptors may provide a new era of promising therapy and can help in remarkable progress among cancer patients.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / pharmacology*
  • ErbB Receptors / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Receptor, IGF Type 1 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Receptor, IGF Type 1 / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects

Substances

  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Receptor, IGF Type 1