The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR; ErbB-1; HER1 in humans) is a transmembrane protein that is a receptor for members of the epidermal growth factor family (EGF family) of extracellular protein ligands. The EGFR is essential for ductal development of the mammary glands, and agonists of the EGFR such as amphiregulin, TGF-α, and heregulin induce both ductal and lobuloalveolar development even in the absence of estrogen and progesterone. EGFR mutations, del E746-A750 in exon 19 and L858R in exon 21 in tumor cells of NMLC represent biomarkers of response to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) therapy. Patients with tumors positive for EGFR mutations show better response and greater survival. These mutations occupy 90% of mutations in lung cancer.
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