The
epidermal growth factor receptor is overexpressed in up to 60% of ovarian epithelial
malignancies. EGFR regulates complex cellular events due to the large number of
ligands, dimerization partners, and diverse signaling pathways engaged. In
ovarian cancer, EGFR activation is associated with increased malignant
tumor phenotype and poorer patient outcome. However, unlike some other EGFR-positive solid
tumors, treatment of ovarian
tumors with anti-EGFR agents has induced minimal response. While the amount of information regarding EGFR-mediated signaling is considerable, current data provides little insight for the lack of efficacy of anti-EGFR agents in
ovarian cancer. More comprehensive, systematic, and well-defined approaches are needed to dissect the roles that EGFR plays in the complex signaling processes in
ovarian cancer as well as to identify
biomarkers that can accurately predict sensitivity toward EGFR-targeted therapeutic agents. This new knowledge could facilitate the development of rational combinatorial
therapies to sensitize
tumor cells toward EGFR-targeted
therapies.