The results of recent studies suggest that overexpression of the EGF receptor accompanied by production of its ligands is an important characteristic of human squamous cell carcinomas. The EGF receptor which transmits the growth promoting or inhibitory effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor alpha (TGFalpha) and amphiregulin is a member of the type I family of growth factor receptors which possess tyrosine kinase activity. In this review we a) discuss the role played by this receptor and its ligands in the transformation of normal cells, b) analyze the evidence for expression of the receptor and its ligands as prognostic markers in cancer patients and c) indicate ways that the overexpressed EGF-receptor system on human malignant cells can be targeted for therapeutic application.

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