Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR, also known as ErbB-1 or HER-1) inhibitors are medicines that bind to certain parts of the EGFR and slow down or stop cell growth.
EGFR is a protein that is found on the surface of some cells that causes cells to divide when EGF binds to it. EGFR is found at abnormally high levels in cancer cells, and EGFR activation appears to be important in tumor growth and progression.
Drug classes:
Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKI): these bind to the tyrosine kinase domain in the epidermal growth factor receptor and stop the activity of the EGFR (eg, erlotinib, gefitinib).
Monoclonal Antibodies: these bind to the extracellular component of the EGFR and prevent EGF from binding to its own receptor, therefore preventing cell division (eg, cetuximab, necitumumab).