Therapeutics: Epidermal growth factor receptor 1 (EGFR1; HER1; ErbB1); EGFR2 (HER2; ErbB2; neu)

Mouse and in vitro studies suggest bisphosphonate drugs could be combined with tyrosine kinase inhibitors to treat HER-driven cancers. In multiple mouse xenograft models of HER1-driven cancers, the EGFR inhibitor Tarceva erlotinib plus the bisphosphonate Zometa zoledronic acid induced greater tumor regression than either agent alone. In human cancer cell lines, multiple bisphosphonates including zoledronic acid bound HER1 to inhibit global HER signaling and induce apoptosis. Next steps could include planning a clinical trial to evaluate the combination approach.

Astellas Pharma Inc., Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Roche and its Genentech Inc. unit market Tarceva to treat NSCLC and pancreatic cancer...