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Inhibition of Mutant EGF Receptors by Gefitinib: Targeting an Achilles’ Heel of Lung Cancer

Volume 3, Issue 12   December 2004
Pages 1496 - 1497
http://dx.doi.org/10.4161/cc.3.12.1325
Authors: Jeffrey Settleman

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Abstract:
Recent reports revealed a strong correlation between the presence of somatic activating mutations in the kinase domain of the EGF receptor in some human lung cancers and a striking clinical response to the selective EGF receptor inhibitor, Gefitinib. These oncogenic receptors exhibit altered signaling properties such that they selectively activate downstream survival pathways on which tumor cells have become dependent. Thus, tumor cells are effectively killed by Gefitinib treatment. In addition, the catalytic function of the mutant receptors exhibits increased sensitivity to Gefitinib, raising the possibility that two distinct consequences of Gefitinib action account for its clinical efficacy.

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