Les inhibiteurs d'EGFR dans le cancer bronchique non à petites cellules : plus qu'hier et moins que demain

Molecular targeted agents represent a major breakthrough in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. Among these agents, Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) inhibitors are probably the more important so far. Whether inhibition is obtained by targeting the tyrosine kinase of the receptor (gefitinib or erlotinib) or by using a monoclonal antibody (cetuximab), the place of these treatments will increase in the next years. This article details the role of EGFR in lung carcinogenesis and the main therapeutic approaches used to inhibit EGFR activity. The results of the major clinical trials evaluating these agents are also discussed.