1. Is there a blood test for EGFR?
Not yet. Researchers have been able to detect excess EGFR, produced by a tumor, in the bloodstream but a clinically useful test is not yet available.
2. What is the difference between EGFR (Her-1) and Her-2/neu?
EGFR and Her-2/neu are both members of the same family of cell membrane receptors. They are both measured in tumor tissue and evaluated for over-expression or amplification. When either EGFR or Her-2/neu is significantly increased in a cancer, it indicates a more aggressive tumor and a poorer patient prognosis. The primary differences between EGFR and Her-2/neu are that they
are ordered to help evaluate different types of cancer and that the drugs that have been developed to target them are specific for that particular receptor, EGFR or Her-2/neu. Her-2/neu is used for diagnosis and prognosis of breast cancer.
This article was last reviewed on September 10, 2008.
This page was last modified on April 8, 2009.
The review date indicates when the article was last reviewed from beginning to end to ensure that it reflects the most current science. A review may not require any modifications to the article, so the two dates may not always agree.
The modified date indicates that one or more changes were made to the page. Such changes may or may not result from a full review of the page, so the two dates may not always agree.
