[Frontiers in Bioscience S3, 16-22, January 1, 2011]

Targeting EGFR in bilio-pancreatic and liver carcinoma

Maria Elisabetta Fratto1, Daniele Santini1, Bruno Vincenzi1, Nicola Silvestris2, Amalia Azzariti3, Stefania Tommasi3, Alice Zoccoli1, Sara Galluzzo1, Evaristo Maiello4, Giuseppe Colucci2, Giuseppe Tonini1

1Medical Oncology, University Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, 2Medical and Experimental Oncology Unit, Scientific Institute for Research and Treatment of Cancer "Giovanni Paolo II", Bari,3Clinical Experimental Oncology Laboratory, Scientific Institute for Research and Treatment of Cancer "Giovanni Paolo II", 4Medical Oncology Unit, Scientific Institute for Research and Treatment of Cancer "Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza" - San Giovanni Rotondo

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Abstract
2. Anti-EGFR in Biliary tract cancer
3. Anti-EGFR in Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
4. Anti-EGFR in Pancreatic Cancer
5. Conclusions
6. References

1. ABSTRACT

The key role of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in tumorigenesis has been demonstrated in several cancer types, so recent clinical trials have investigated their activity/efficacy in different settings. Two different types of EGFR-targeted agents were developed: monoclonal antibodies such as cetuximab and panitumumab, and tyrosine kinase inhibitors, such as gefitinib and erlotinib. In this review, we summarize the preclinical rational of potential activity and the most important clinical trials evaluated anti-EGFR targeted agents in non-colorectal digestive cancer, both in monotherapy and in combination with other chemotherapeutic or targeted agents. Patient selection by use of biologic markers will identify which