Molecular Targeting in Radiotherapy: Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor

EGFR activation. EGFR can be activated by a number of mechanisms. EGF ligand binding to the EGFR leads to dimerization, internalization, and autophosphorylation. Overexpression of EGFR activity can occur through either gene amplification or constitutively activated mutant forms of EGFR. Finally, ionizing radiation (IR) can activate the EGFR independent of ligand.