EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor

Definition of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor

epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor

(eh-pih-DER-mul grothe FAK-ter reh-SEP-ter TY-ruh-seen KY-nays in-HIH-bih-ter)
A substance that blocks the activity of a protein called epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). EGFR is found on the surface of some normal cells and is involved in cell growth. It may also be found at high levels on some types of cancer cells, which causes these cells to grow and divide. Blocking EGFR may keep cancer cells from growing. Some epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors are used to treat cancer. Also called EGFR inhibitor, EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, and epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor.

Source: NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms