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Updated: Mar 16, 2026

Deciphering the Structural Effects of Activating EGFR Somatic Mutations with Molecular Dynamics Simulation
Published on: May 20, 2020
A focused compound screen highlights the significance of epidermal growth factor receptor signalling in chordoma
Mira Ghaly1, Corin Seelemann1, Arezu Jahani-Asl1
1Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University and Lady Davis Medical Research Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Abstract:
Chordoma is a rare primary bone cancer with limited treatment options. Surgical resection followed by radiotherapy has proven effective; however, when, in 30-40% of patients, tumours recur and metastasize, a high level of resistance to chemotherapies leaves these patients with a dearth of treatment options. Recent work published in the Journal of Pathology by Scheipl et al describing a focused compound drug screen highlights the significance of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signalling in chordoma, and shows potential for EGFR inhibitors as a way forward for developing an effective treatment for chordoma. Importantly, combining EGFR inhibitors with a MET inhibitor induces a synergistic effect on growth inhibition of resistant chordoma cells, highlighting the significance of combined EGFR and MET inhibitors as a potential avenue to defeat chemoresistance in chordoma patients. Copyright © 2016 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Insights
Chordoma, a rare bone cancer, shows resistance to chemotherapy. Targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and MET signaling with combined inhibitors offers a promising strategy to overcome this resistance in chordoma patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cancer Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Chordoma is a rare primary bone cancer with limited therapeutic strategies.
- Recurrent and metastatic chordoma exhibits significant chemoresistance, necessitating novel treatment approaches.
- Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling is implicated in chordoma progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of EGFR signaling in chordoma.
- To evaluate the efficacy of EGFR inhibitors, alone and in combination with MET inhibitors, for treating chemoresistant chordoma.
Main Methods:
- Focused compound drug screening was employed.
- The study assessed the impact of EGFR and MET inhibitors on chordoma cell growth, particularly in resistant models.
Main Results:
- EGFR signaling is significant in chordoma.
- EGFR inhibitors show potential for chordoma treatment.
- Combining EGFR and MET inhibitors demonstrated a synergistic effect on inhibiting resistant chordoma cell growth.
Conclusions:
- Targeting EGFR signaling presents a viable therapeutic avenue for chordoma.
- Combined inhibition of EGFR and MET offers a promising strategy to overcome chemoresistance in chordoma.
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