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EGFR: How Important Is EGFR Mutation Status in the Management of Lung Cancer?

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Clinical Relevance of Genetic Factors in Pulmonary Diseases

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Abstract

The underlying basis of the cancer phenotype is caused by the alteration of genes that regulate cell growth, differentiation, proliferation, and programmed cell death. Along with the molecular biology of the cell, over the last several decades, numerous other important factors that contribute to cell growth, differentiation, and proliferation processes have been found. In contrast to normal cells, cancer cells have the capacity to proliferate without external stimuli, usually as a consequence of gene mutations. The human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is overexpressed or dysfunctional in many human malignancies. EGFR is one of the human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER) family proteins, and signaling intermediated by EGFR has received intense focus, resulting in the emergence of attractive candidates for anticancer therapy, especially in lung cancer. In this section, we focus on the signaling cascade via EGFR and overview the therapeutic approach against EGFR.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Bukyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan

    Mizuki Haraguchi & Kazuhisa Takahashi

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  1. Mizuki Haraguchi
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  2. Kazuhisa Takahashi
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Correspondence to Kazuhisa Takahashi .

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  1. Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan

    Takeshi Kaneko

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Haraguchi, M., Takahashi, K. (2018). EGFR: How Important Is EGFR Mutation Status in the Management of Lung Cancer?. In: Kaneko, T. (eds) Clinical Relevance of Genetic Factors in Pulmonary Diseases. Respiratory Disease Series: Diagnostic Tools and Disease Managements. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-8144-6_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-8144-6_15

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