Abstract
The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signalling pathway contributes to a number of processes important to tumour progression, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis and metastatic spread. EGFR signalling is thought to be an important cell survival mechanism in hormone-resistant prostate cancer. ZD1839 (`Iressa') is an orally active, selective EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) which blocks signal transduction pathways implicated in promoting cancer growth. In preclinical studies, ZD1839 alone, and in combination with cytotoxic agents, produced reversible growth inhibition and growth delay in a wide range of tumour cell lines and human tumour xenografts. Preliminary results from phase I trials in patients with advanced disease suggest that ZD1839 has an acceptable tolerability profile and promising clinical efficacy in patients with a variety of tumour types, including hormone-resistant prostate cancer, where new treatment strategies are needed.
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‘Iressa’, ‘Zoladex’ and ‘Casodex’ are trademarks of the AstraZeneca group of companies.
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Blackledge, G., Averbuch, S., Kay, A. et al. Anti-EGF receptor therapy. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis 3, 296–302 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.pcan.4500488
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.pcan.4500488
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