Mechanisms of resistance to anti-EGFR therapy in colorectal cancer.

Mechanisms of resistance to anti-EGFR therapy in colorectal cancer.

Oncotarget. 2016 Dec 18;:

Authors: Zhao B, Wang L, Qiu H, Zhang M, Sun L, Peng P, Yu Q, Yuan X

Abstract
Targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) either alone or in combination with chemotherapy is effective for patients with RAS wild type metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). However, only a small percentage of mCRC patients are sensitive to anti-EGFR therapy and even the best cases finally become refractory to this therapy. It has become apparent that the RAS mutations correlate with resistance to anti-EGFR therapy. However, these resistance mechanisms only account for nearly 35% to 50% of nonresponsive patients, suggesting that there might be additional mechanisms. In fact, several novel pathways leading to escape from anti-EGFR therapy have been reported in recent years. In this review, we provide an overview of known and novel mechanisms that contribute to both primary and acquired anti-EGFR therapy resistance, and enlist possible treatment strategies to overcome or reverse this resistance.

PMID: 28002810 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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