NCIt definition : A mixture of two recombinant IgG1 antibodies directed against different epitopes in
the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) extracellular domain III, with potential
antineoplastic activity. Anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody mixture Sym004 binds to the
extracellular domain of EGFR, thereby preventing ligand binding. This may prevent
activation and subsequent dimerization of the receptor; the decrease in receptor activation
may result in an inhibition of downstream ERK and JNK signaling pathways and thus
inhibition of EGFR-dependent tumor cell proliferation and metastasis. In addition,
binding of Sym004 to EGFRs causes EGFR internalization and degradation. EGFR, a receptor
tyrosine kinase, often is overexpressed on the cell surfaces of various solid tumor
cell types.;
Semantic type(s)