RESUMO
The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) provides a rational target for cancer therapy as it is commonly overexpressed in a variety of solid tumors, and its deregulation is correlated with resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy and a poor prognosis. Cetuximab (C255), a specific monoclonal antibody directed against EGFR, is synergistic with chemotherapy and radiotherapy and has been licensed for the treatment of irinotecan refractory colorectal cancer (CRC) and squamous cell cancer of the head and neck (SCCHN), which express EGFR. In addition, the clinical trials about cetuximab for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), breast and pancreas carcinoma are ongoing, and cetuximab has been proven to a novel strategy for the treatment of cancer with the overexpression of EGFR.