EGFR
Medically Reviewed by Jonathan W. Riess, MD, MS
Somatic mutation; rarely germline (hereditary)
Roles in cell function
- Span the width of the cell membrane to receive external stimuli and transmit the signal into the cells
- Signal internalized by EGFR is further passed on through signalling pathways to trigger cell growth, division and cell survival.
- Cells with mutated EGFR are constantly being activated and grow without control to form cancerous tumors.
Types of cancer linked to mutation
- Hereditary non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in non-smokers
- Lung adenocarcinoma (a type of NSCLC)
- Other types of NSCLCs
- Colon adenocarcinoma (a type of colorectal cancer)
- Esophageal adenocarcinoma
- Bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma)
Related: EGFR-positive Lung Cancer
