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Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a type-I transmembrane protein with intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity is activated
by peptide growth factors such as EGF, epigen, amphiregulin, etc. EGFR plays a vital role in regulating cell growth, migration, and
differentiation in various tissue-specific cancers. It has been reported to be overexpressed in lung, head, and neck, colon, brain,
pancreatic, and breast cancer that trigger tumor progression and drug resistance. EGFR overexpression alters the signaling pathway and
induces cell division, invasion, and cell survival. Our prior studies demonstrated that EGFR inhibition modulates chemosensitivity in
breast cancer stem cells thereby serving as a potential drug target for breast cancer mitigation. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (Lapatinib,
Neratinib) and monoclonal antibodies (Trastuzumab) targeting EGFR have been developed and approved by the US FDA for clinical use
against breast cancer. This review highlights the critical role of EGFR in breast cancer progression and enumerates the various
approaches being undertaken to inhibit aggressive breast cancers by suppressing the downstream pathways. Further, the mechanisms of
action of potential molecules at various stages of drug development as well as clinically approved drugs for breast cancer treatment are
illustrated.
Value of epidermal growth factor receptor status compared with growth fraction and other factors for prognosis in early breast cancer