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Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) Receptor Signaling and Cancer

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Signal Transduction: Pathways, Mechanisms and Diseases

Abstract

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors (also known as ErbB) function in development, proliferation and cell survival. They activate a network of signaling pathways that is tightly regulated by phosphorylation, subcellular localization of receptors, and formation of protein complexes. Deregulation of these signaling pathways leads to diseases such as cancer. ErbB receptor-driven cancers have overexpression and/or mutations in ErbB receptors correlating to resistance to chemotherapy, higher tumor grade and poor prognosis. Targeted therapies against the activation of ErbB receptors have been developed including antibodies that prevent dimerization or ligand binding of ErbB receptors, and inhibitors that prevent phosphorylation of the tyrosine kinase domain in ErbB receptors. Thus, understanding the activation of ErbB receptors and their signaling pathways will give insight into the development of cancer and will hopefully lead to effective therapies for cancer.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, Manitoba Institute of Cell Biology, University of Manitoba, 675 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3E 0V9, Canada

    Elizabeth S. Henson & Spencer B. Gibson

Authors
  1. Elizabeth S. Henson
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  2. Spencer B. Gibson
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Elizabeth S. Henson .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Eye Research Institute, Oakland University, DHE 423, Rochester, 48309, USA

    Ari Sitaramayya

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© 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Henson, E.S., Gibson, S.B. (2010). Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) Receptor Signaling and Cancer. In: Sitaramayya, A. (eds) Signal Transduction: Pathways, Mechanisms and Diseases. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-02112-1_7

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