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Gefitinib ('Iressa', ZD1839) and new epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors

G Blackledge1, S Averbuch

  • 1AstraZeneca, Mereside, Alderley Park, Macclesfield, Cheshire SK10 4TG, UK. george.blackledge@astrazeneca.com

British Journal of Cancer
|February 5, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) targeted therapies, including gefitinib, erlotinib, and cetuximab, show promise in cancer treatment. These agents are generally well-tolerated and are being investigated for various tumor types, with gefitinib approved for non-small-cell lung cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a key target in cancer therapy.
  • Several EGFR-targeted agents, including tyrosine kinase inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies, have been developed.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a clinical overview of advanced EGFR-targeted agents.
  • To highlight their antitumour activities and tolerability in different tumour types.

Main Methods:

  • Review of clinical data for gefitinib, erlotinib, and cetuximab.
  • Analysis of antitumour activity and adverse event profiles.

Main Results:

  • EGFR-targeted agents demonstrate antitumour activity across various cancers.
  • These agents are generally well-tolerated compared to cytotoxic chemotherapy.
  • Gefitinib has extensive clinical experience, particularly in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and is approved in several countries.

Conclusions:

  • EGFR-targeted agents represent a significant advancement in cancer therapy.
  • Further research is needed to optimize their use in monotherapy and combination regimens.

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