Description
Erlotinib is an inhibitor of EGFR that exhibits anticancer chemotherapeutic benefit; it is currently in clinical trials for the treatment of colorectal cancer, non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs), and other advanced cancers. In NSCLC cells, erlotinib increases activation of p53 and AMPK and inhibits activity of mTOR, inducing autophagy. In other in vitro models of NSCLC, this compound upregulates expression of p27 and downregulates expression of skp2, inducing G1/S phase cell cycle arrest and inhibiting cellular growth. In animal models of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, erlotinib inhibits MAPK signaling and increases overall survival rates. Additionally, in male mouse models of lung adenocarcinoma, erlotinib decreases tumor burden.