Dual-agent molecular targeting of growth factor receptors in hepatocellular cancer: Combining anti-EGFR antibody with an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor

Aims: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancer-related causes of death worldwide. In light of the very poor 5-year-survival new therapeutic approaches are mandatory. Recently, evidence has been accumulated that the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a promising target for cancer therapy. Several reports indicate that EGFR is expressed frequently in HCC, most likely contributing to the aggressive growth characteristics of these tumors. Cetuximab, a chimeric monoclonal IgG1 antibody directed against the EGFR, potently suppresses the growth of various cancers but its effect on HCC rem…