The type 1 (EGFR-related) family of growth factor receptors and their ligands

This review considers the biology of the type 1 growth factor receptor family which is increasingly recognised as important in the control of normal cell proliferation and in the pathogenesis of human cancer. The family currently comprises three closely related members: the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor, c-erbB-2 and c-erbB-3, all of which show abnormalities of expression in various human tumours. The family of factors related to EGF has also expanded recently and now includes transforming growth factor alpha, heparin-binding EGF, amphiregulin, cripto and heregulin, as well as several other potential ligands for the c-erbB2-2 receptor. The involvement of these receptors and growth factors in human cancer has implications for the design of novel forms of therapy for cancer, and we review recent advances and future avenues for investigation.