Figure 2.
The mechanism of cetuximab action.
Notes: Schematic representation of how cetuximab mediates its antitumor activity. The antibody binding to epidermal growth factor receptor prevents receptor dimerization, leading to inhibition of receptor function as shown. Cetuximab binding also fosters receptor internalization and promotes antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity. The resulting outcomes include disruption of apoptosis,54,60,102,103 angiogenesis,54,60,103,104 proliferation,103,105,106 invasion,44,107,108 and metastasis.58,102,105,109
Abbreviation: EGFR, epidermal growth factor receptor.