Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Deciphering the Structural Effects of Activating EGFR Somatic Mutations with Molecular Dynamics Simulation
15:05

Deciphering the Structural Effects of Activating EGFR Somatic Mutations with Molecular Dynamics Simulation

Published on: May 20, 2020

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in head and neck cancer: its role and treatment implications

Michel Zimmermann1, Abderrahim Zouhair, David Azria

  • 1Department of Radiation Oncology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Bugnon 46, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland. michel.zimmermann@chuv.ch

Radiation Oncology (London, England)
|May 26, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a key target in cancer therapy. Blocking EGFR with monoclonal antibodies inhibits cancer cell proliferation and metastasis, offering new treatment strategies for head and neck cancers.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is part of the ErbB receptor family.
  • EGFR activation by ligands like EGF or TGF-alpha stimulates cell cycle progression via tyrosine kinase.
  • Elevated EGFR expression correlates with poor prognosis and radioresistance in cancers, particularly SCCHN.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the therapeutic potential of blocking EGFR in SCCHN.
  • To evaluate the effects of EGFR inhibition on cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, invasiveness, and metastasis.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized monoclonal antibodies to block EGFR.
  • Assessed the impact of EGFR blockade on cellular processes including proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and metastasis.

Main Results:

  • Monoclonal antibody blockade of EGFR inhibited receptor stimulation.
  • EGFR inhibition led to reduced cell proliferation, enhanced apoptosis, and decreased angiogenesis, invasiveness, and metastasis.

Conclusions:

  • EGFR is a critical therapeutic target for SCCHN.
  • EGFR-targeted therapies, including monoclonal antibodies, small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and antisense therapies, show promise for treating SCCHN.

More Related Videos

Therapy Testing in a Spheroid-based 3D Cell Culture Model for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma06:11

Therapy Testing in a Spheroid-based 3D Cell Culture Model for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Published on: April 20, 2018

Intramucosal Inoculation of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells in Mice for Tumor Immune Profiling and Treatment Response Assessment07:29

Intramucosal Inoculation of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells in Mice for Tumor Immune Profiling and Treatment Response Assessment

Published on: April 22, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal01:22

Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal

Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular carcinoma receptor (Eph) and its ligand, Eph receptor-interacting protein (Ephrin) were first discovered in the human carcinoma cell line, hence the name. Ephrin-Eph interaction guides cells to reach their appropriate location in adult tissues. They also play an essential role in the immune system by helping in immune cell migration, adhesion, and activation. Based on their structure and function, Eph is divided into two classes — EphA and EphB.
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Enzyme-linked Receptors01:00

Enzyme-linked Receptors

Enzyme-linked receptors are proteins that act as both receptor and enzyme, activating multiple intracellular signals. This is a large group of receptors that include the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) family. Many growth factors and hormones bind to and activate the RTKs.
Neurotrophin (NT) receptors are a family of RTKs, including trkA, trkB, and trkC (tropomyosin-related kinase) receptors. TrkA is specific for nerve growth factor (NGF), neurotrophin-6, and neurotrophin-7. TrkB binds...
Clinical Applications of Epidermal Stem Cells01:19

Clinical Applications of Epidermal Stem Cells

Epidermal stem cells (EpiSCs) are mainly located at the basal layer of the epidermis. These cells repair minor injuries of the skin and replace dead skin cells. However, EpiSCs’ cannot heal severe wounds such as major burns or those from diabetes or hereditary disorders. In such cases, culturing the epidermal stem cells from the patient is possible and has yielded successful treatment options, such as laboratory-grown skin grafts. These grafts are synthesized using a patient’s own EpiSCs...
Transducer Mechanism: Enzyme-Linked Receptors01:27

Transducer Mechanism: Enzyme-Linked Receptors

Enzyme-linked receptors are cell-surface receptors acting as an enzyme or associating with an enzyme intracellularly. They make excellent drug targets. Drugs can bind to the extracellular ligand-binding domain or directly affect their enzymatic domain and alter their activity.
Major types that are helpful drug targets include: