re: testing for EGFR for Jax
epidermal growth factor receptor is not routinely tested in breast cancer.
Her2 is a type of epidermal growth factor receptor, but when they say EGFR they mean Her1, which is a close relative of HER2.
EGFR CAN be tested, and from my reading the initial studies in lung cancers using EGFR inhibitors showed that it didn't matter whether the tumor was positive for EGFR or not.
this is confusing to me, but it seems to suggest that testing for EGFR is not useful in breast cancer. i can't find any studies that say whether this is true or not.
i know that many of the EGFR targeted therapies like tarceva, etc. don't require the tumor to be EGFR +.
that's my two cents! Sara
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