In biochemistry, epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (EGFR, erbB-1, HER1, HER-1) is a cell surface receptor that is a "involved in regulation of cell growth and differentiation. It is specific for epidermal growth factor and EGF related peptides including transforming growth factor alpha, amphiregulin, and heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor. The binding of ligand to the receptor causes activation of its intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity and rapid internalization of the receptor-ligand complex into the cell."[1]
Cetuximab (IMC-C225) is a recombinant, human/mouse chimeric monoclonal antibody that binds to EGFR and may treat head and neck cancers, colorectal cancer, and non-small cell lung cancer in patients who do not have mutations in the KRAS gene.[2] Panitumumab is also a monoclonal antibody that binds to EGFR and may treat colorectal cancer.