Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor and Its Role in Pancreatic Cancer Treatment Mediated by Nanoparticles

Abstract

Cristiana Maria Grapa,1,* Teodora Mocan,1,2,* Diana Gonciar,1,3,* Claudiu Zdrehus,1,3,* Ofelia Mosteanu,1,3,* Teodora Pop,1,* Lucian Mocan1,3,* 1Nanomedicine Department, Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology “Prof. Dr. Octavian Fodor”, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; 2Physiology Department, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; 33rd Surgery Clinic, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania*All authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Teodora MocanPhysiology Department, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 1 Clinicilor Street, Cluj-Napoca 40006, RomaniaTel [phone]Fax [phone]Email [email protected]: Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a disease with a high incidence and a dreary prognosis. Its lack of symptomatology and late diagnosis contribute to the dearth and inefficiency of therapeutic schemes. Studies show that overexpressed epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a common occurrence, linking this to the progression of pancreatic cancer, although the association between its expression and the survival rate is rather controversial. EGFR-targeted therapy has not shown the results expected, leaving at hand more questions than answers; clearly, there is a need for a better understanding of the molecular pathways involved. Nanoparticles have been used in trying to improve the efficacy of antitumor treatment; thus, using EGFR’s ligand, EGF, for nanoconjugation, showed promising results in increasing the cellular uptake mechanisms and apoptosis of the targeted cells.Keywords: pancreatic adenocarcinoma, EGFR, nanoparticles, targeted therapy

Keywords

• pancreatic adenocarcinoma
• egfr
• nanoparticles
• targeted therapy