The epidermal growth factor receptor is the cell-surface receptor for members of the epidermal growth factor family of extracellular protein ligands.

EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) exists on the cell surface and is activated by binding of its specific ligands, including epidermal growth factor and transforming growth factor α (TGFα). Mutations, amplification, or misregulations of EGFR or family members are implicated in about 30% of all epithelial cancers. Mutations involving EGFR could lead to its constant activation, which could result in uncontrolled cell division – a predisposition for cancer. Consequently, mutations of EGFR have been identified in several types of cancer, and it is the target of an expanding class of anticancer therapies [1][3].