Necroptosis: The Regulation Between EGFR and TNFR in Cancer

Jin Gyeom Kim1,2, Wook Jin1

  • 1Laboratory of Molecular Disease and Cell Regulation, Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Gachon University, Incheon 21999, Republic of Korea.

Cells
|July 27, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Targeting necroptosis via the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) signaling pathway offers a novel strategy to overcome cancer plasticity and therapeutic resistance, improving outcomes in difficult-to-treat malignancies.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Death Mechanisms

Background:

  • Cancer remains a leading cause of death due to complex mechanisms like tumorigenesis and therapeutic resistance.
  • Conventional therapies (chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy) face challenges from cancer cell plasticity and multidrug resistance.
  • Cancer cells employ sophisticated evasion strategies to bypass programmed cell death and maintain proliferation, survival, and metastasis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of necroptosis-based therapies in suppressing tumorigenesis and enhancing treatment outcomes.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms by which targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) signaling pathway inhibits tumorigenesis via necroptosis.
  • To propose this pathway as an innovative targeted therapy for treatment-resistant cancers.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on cancer therapy, resistance mechanisms, and necroptosis.
  • Analysis of signaling pathways involving EGFR and TNFR in the context of cancer cell death.
  • Delineation of the molecular mechanisms underlying EGFR- and TNFR-mediated necroptosis induction.

Main Results:

  • Necroptosis-based therapies show promise in inhibiting tumorigenesis and improving outcomes across various cancer types.
  • Targeting overexpressed receptors on cancer cells is a key strategy for suppressing tumorigenesis.
  • Regulation of the EGFR-TNFR signaling pathway through necroptosis offers a mechanism to inhibit cancer growth.

Conclusions:

  • Inducing necroptosis via the EGFR-TNFR pathway represents a novel therapeutic paradigm.
  • This approach holds potential for enhancing clinical outcomes in patients with treatment-resistant cancers.
  • Targeting necroptosis offers a strategy to overcome cancer plasticity and multidrug resistance.

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