Epidermal growth factor receptor family and its role in cancer progression

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a receptor tyrosine kinase has four members in its family. A set of specialized ligands have evolved which bind to and cause homodimerization or heterodimerization of the receptor and lead to activation of downstream signalling pathways. This receptor family has a critical role to play in normal development, and aberrant expression or activation of the receptor family has been associated with many diseases, including cancer. Here we attampt to compile the literature on the structure of the receptor, the activation of the receptor in a ligand-dependent or independent manner and signal transduction downstream. Finally we conclude by exploring therapeutic options and also by speculating where researth in EGFR biology will be heading for in the future.