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Breast Cancer Research
Published in: Breast Cancer Research 3/2003

01-06-2003 | Commentary

Expanding the therapeutic repertoire of epidermal growth factor receptor blockade: radiosensitization

Authors: Julia MW Gee, Robert I Nicholson

Published in: Breast Cancer Research | Issue 3/2003

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Abstract

Expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been associated with radioresistance in cancer. Moreover, tumour cell recovery after irradiation paradoxically occurs, in part, as a result of activation of EGFR signalling by such treatment. A recent article by Huang, Li, Armstrong and Harari provides strong rationale for considering the anti-EGFR agent ZD1839 ('Iressa') as a radiosensitizing strategy. With the use of several in vitro and xenograft models of human squamous cell head and neck carcinoma, ZD1939 was shown to markedly improve radiotherapeutic response, with superior tumour inhibition and delayed tumour regrowth. Mechanisms underlying this effect included anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic activity, with significant perturbation of tumour angiogenesis.
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Metadata
Title
Expanding the therapeutic repertoire of epidermal growth factor receptor blockade: radiosensitization
Authors
Julia MW Gee
Robert I Nicholson
Publication date
01-06-2003
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Breast Cancer Research / Issue 3/2003
Electronic ISSN: 1465-542X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/bcr584

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