Oral anti-EGFR-TKs* inhibit
enzyme cascades that are
activated by stimulation of
Her 1,2, 3 & 4 membrane receptors
* inhibitors of tyrosine kinases triggered
by EGFR stimulation
** XL 647 also inhibits VEGFR2 & EphB4
On these CT scans one can see the enormous tumoral mass on the left, considerably regress on the right, after 6 weeks of treatment with an oral anti EGFR-TK, in a 32 year old patient bearing an EGFR mutation
These two illustrations (3D reconstruction of mutated zones, CT scan) are reproduced with authorization from the authors (Daniel A. Haber) and from the New England Journal of Medicine : Lynch TJ, Bell DW, Sordella R, et al. Activating Mutations in the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Underlying Responsiveness of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer to Gefitinib. N. Engl J Med 2004;350:2129-39. Copyright 2004 Massachussets Medical Society. All rights reserved.
These new Bio-Medicines, inhibiting receptors
(monoclonals) or cascades (oral anti EGFR tyrosine kinases ), devoid of cytotoxic effects of classical anticancer chemotherapies, play a growing part in anti-cancer strategy