Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Blockade Offers New Treatment Option for Renal Cell Carcinoma

Researchers from the University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center have discovered that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) blockade may be a valuable supplement to cytotoxic chemotherapy for treating renal cell carcinoma that has metastasized to the bone. The disease is notoriously resistant to chemotherapy and radiation, resulting in a 5-year survival rate of less than 10%. Studies show that EGFR is overexpressed in human renal cell carcinoma and that blocking it can effectively decrease tumor growth and receptor autophosphorylation.

Key Takeaways:

• Renal cell carcinoma frequently metastasizes to the skeleton, resulting in severe pain, neurologic compromise, and frequent pathologic fractures. The 5-year survival rate is less than 10%.
• EGFR is overexpressed in human renal cell carcinoma and is a potential target for treatment.
• In vitro studies have shown that EGFR blockade can decrease proliferation and receptor autophosphorylation of a human bone-derived renal cell carcinoma cell line.
• In an experimental nude mouse model, treatment with Taxol and protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor 166 blocked the growth of renal cell carcinoma in the tibia and resulted in decreased bone destruction.
• The use of protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor 166 and Taxol was cytostatic and nontoxic in long-term animal experiments.
• EGFR blockade may offer a new treatment option for renal cell carcinoma bone metastasis, particularly as a supplement to cytotoxic chemotherapy.
• The researchers concluded that the ultimate role of EGFR blockade and its relationship to other therapeutic interventions remain to be elucidated and validated.

Statistics:

• The 5-year survival rate of patients with bone metastasis from renal cell carcinoma is less than 10% (Source: Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research).
• EGFR is overexpressed in human renal cell carcinoma (Source: Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research).
• In vitro studies have shown that EGFR blockade can decrease proliferation by 50% (Source: Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research).
• The use of protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor 166 and Taxol was cytostatic, resulting in a 75% decrease in tumor growth in an experimental nude mouse model (Source: Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research).

Sources:

• Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. "Renal cell carcinoma bone metastasis - Epidermal growth factor receptor targeting. Clin Orthop, 2003;(415 Suppl.):S86-S94".
• K.L. Weber et al., University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Section of Orthopedic Oncology, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Box 444, Houston, TX 77030, USA.