EGFR Antibodies

EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor) is a transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase that belongs to the ErbB family. EGFR plays a critical role in regulating cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation, survival, and migration by transmitting signals from extracellular growth factors to intracellular signaling pathways. 

Content on EGFR Antibodies

EGFR antibodies are used in multiple research and clinical applications, including Western blotting, immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). There are various types of EGFR antibodies, including those that target specific domains of the EGFR protein, such as the extracellular ligand-binding domain or the cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase domain.

Applications of EGFR Antibodies

• EGFR Internalization and Trafficking: After activation, EGFR undergoes endocytosis and is either recycled back to the cell membrane or targeted for degradation. EGFR antibodies are used to study receptor internalization, trafficking, and degradation processes, which are critical for regulating receptor availability and signaling duration. Dysregulation of EGFR trafficking can lead to sustained signaling and contribute to cancer progression.
• Therapy Resistance Mechanisms: Resistance to EGFR-targeted therapies, such as monoclonal antibodies and TKIs, is a major challenge in cancer treatment. EGFR antibodies are used to investigate mechanisms of resistance, such as secondary mutations in EGFR (e.g., T790M mutation in NSCLC), upregulation of alternative growth factor receptors, and activation of compensatory signaling pathways. Understanding these resistance mechanisms is crucial for developing new strategies to overcome resistance and improve patient outcomes.
• Angiogenesis and Tumor Microenvironment: EGFR signaling also plays a role in promoting angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels that supply nutrients to tumors. EGFR antibodies are used to study how EGFR activation regulates the expression of angiogenic factors like VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor), as well as how EGFR signaling modulates the tumor microenvironment and influences immune cell infiltration.

In conclusion, EGFR antibodies are indispensable tools in cancer research, diagnostics, and therapeutic development. Their applications span basic studies of cell signaling and receptor dynamics to clinical investigations aimed at improving targeted therapies for EGFR-driven cancers.