Epidermal growth factor receptor pathway inhibitors

The field of EGFR targeted therapy is rapidly evolving as new insights in receptor biology as well as the results from a large number of clinical trials are becoming available. Currently, these agents have an established role in NSCLC, pancreatic, colorectal cancer and head and neck cancer. Important work needs to be done in the areas of patient selection (complementing and going beyond receptor mutations), selection of appropriate dose and schedules with new agents entering the clinic, and implementation of strategies to study the appropriate combinations both with conventional therapies as well as with other anti-signaling agents. It is anticipated that the lessons learned in this area, in addition to moving the field of anti-EGFR therapy forward, will also be of assistance towards a more efficient development of the whole field of targeted therapy in cancer.