The contribution of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway to radioresistance in human gliomas: A review of preclinical and correlative clinical data

Purpose: The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway is frequently upregulated in high-grade gliomas via gene amplification and by specific mutations that render EGFR constitutively active (EGFRvIII). Methods and Materials: This review highlights EGFR's role in mediating radiation resistance in gliomas: underlying molecular mechanisms, with discussion of relevant preclinical and clinical correlative data. Results: Preclinical and emerging clinical data suggest that EGFR signaling plays a potentially important role in mediating radiation resistance in human gliomas. Conclusions: Targeting EGFR alone, or in combination with its downstream mediators, represents a promising new approach for the management of glioma patients. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc.