The potential role of the EGFR/ERBB2 heterodimer in breast cancer

Abstract

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and ErbB2 are the best-characterised members of the ErbB family of receptor tyrosine kinases. Both receptors are frequently deregulated in human cancers and both are targets for anticancer drugs. ErbB2 amplification and overexpression are associated with a poor prognosis in breast cancer patients. Over the last decade, evidence has revealed that ErbB2 interacts with EGFR in order to achieve its full oncogenic potential. Therefore, assessment of EGFR and ErbB2 coexpression can potentially predict the outcome of the disease as well as success of therapies better than the assessment of single receptors. Moreover, it is not single-agent therapies, targeting one receptor, but combinations or several receptor-targeted therapies that may be the best way to fight cancer.

Keywords::

• breast cancer
• epidermal growth factor receptor
• ErbB2
• tyrosine kinase inhibitors