Epidermal growth factor receptor in corneal damage: update and new insights from recent reports

Abstract

Agonist and antagonist drugs acting on epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling are emerging as a new possibility for pharmaceutical study and clinical manipulation of some skin and corneal disorders. EGFR activation appears to be effective in reducing the time of reepithelialization after corneal wound healing, with potential uses in penetrating keratoplasty, refractive surgery, alkali burns, diabetic keratopathy, keratopathy following chemotherapy, cornea transplantation, and dry eye. Most of the studies show therapeutic advantages of human recombinant epidermal growth factor (hrEGF) eye drops without showing adverse effects. In contrast, EGFR inhibition delays epithelial cell proliferation and stratification during corneal regeneration.The aim of this review is to summarize the most seminal discoveries and recent advances so as to clarify the role of the EGFR system in corneal physiology and pharmacology. Epidermal growth factor eye drops could be a first-choice treatment for promoting regeneration in numerous epithelial defects in the medium to long term.

Keywords::

• Epidermal growth factor receptor
• epidermal growth factor
• cornea
• corneal wound healing
• corneal burns
• keratopathy
• chemotherapy
• diabetic keratopathy
• penetrating keratoplasty
• refractive surgery
• dry eye

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Mrs. Maria Antònia Riera (Alcon Labs, Barcelona, Spain) for her kind part in providing the full articles which are noted in the bibliography. The report given in this study is registered in the academic activities of the Centro de Oftalmología Bonafonte and IMC-Investiláser year 2009–2010.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.