Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Family and Chemosensitization

Abstract

Alteration in the expression and activation of protein tyrosine kinases and cell cycle regulatory genes not only can lead directly to the perturbation of growth regulation but also may affect the sensitivity of cancer cells to conventional chemotherapy and radiation therapy. In recent years, numerous studies have explored the effects on chemosensitivity resulting from altered expression and activation of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor and the HER-2/neu receptor.