[EGF receptors in colorectal cancers]

Abstract

The interest of anti-EGFR therapies has been explored very early in colorectal cancers because of a major contribution of the alterations of the pathway they initiate in colorectal carcinogenesis. Anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies have shown their potential activity, especially cetuximab (Erbitux((R))) and recently panitumumab. The absence of response predictive factors raises some difficulties in the optimal prescription of this drug. Other anti-EGFR antibodies as well as small molecules inhibiting tyrosine kinase activity are currently explored in gastro-intestinal oncology.