What is an epidermal growth factor receptor?
The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is an important part of cancer treatment. EGFR, also called either the coat of arms or the human receptor of the epidermal growth factor (games), is a protein located on the membranes of some cells. Ligands or molecules bind to receptors and start a cascade that controls cell growth. Some types of cancer cells have an abnormally high number of receptors, leading to uncontrolled tumor growth.
ligands activate the family of receptors of epidermal growth factors. The receptors are paired with ligands, resulting in phosphorylation or adding a phosphate group to the molecule. Phosphorylation creates connections for molecules that transmit signals downstream. The road ends with stimulating cell proliferation. When ligands prepare receptors outside the cell, the translite receptors in this signal. The signals trigger a cascade that stimulates cell growth and division. In a normal cell, this path is firmly regulated for growth control. However,
cancer cells lack regNormal cells. The receptor of the epidermal growth factor can be excessively expressed, which means that the cell membrane has too many binding sites. Cells can contain too many copies of protein called gene amplification. Some cancer cells also have the ability to create their own ligands and create cells that stimulate multiplication.
Expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor leads to the classic characteristics of cancer cells: cells grow too fast, are too often divided, produced their own blood supply and lack normal signals that initiate natural cell death or apoptosis. Tumors that excessively express EGFR tend to be more advanced resistant to chemotherapy and radiation compared to tumors that non -priority expresses protein. Such tumors are also associated with reduced overall survival. The receptor was identifiForged on the chest, colorectal, prostate, ovary, bladder and pancreatic cancer, as well as cancer of the esophagus, stomach, head and neck and non -voltable cells.
target therapy seeks to disrupt the cascade, which prevents EGFR from stimulating the growth and proliferation of cells. Class targeted therapies include monoclonal antibodies, tyrosinekinase inhibitors and immunotoxin conjugates. These therapies are associated with less side effects than traditional chemotherapy agents because they are more specific. The treatment is damaged by less healthy cells than when traditional chemotherapy or radiation is used.
A signaling cascade can be disturbed in several points. On the cell surface, the agents may preferably bind to the receptor sites, preventing ligandus from connecting. Target therapies can also suppress receptors and make them inactive. Inside the cell, therapy could interrupt the cascade by blocking key proteins at any point in any point, preventing the signal from reaching its goal.