The last 15 years have brought an understanding of growth and differentiation at the molecular level, expanding our knowledge of the origin and progression of cancer. Early breakthroughs defining growth control pathways came via studies of oncogenes, mutated signaling molecules that have lost the capacity to tum off their proliferative signal. Oncogenes with diverse growth-promoting activities have been discovered, covering the gamut from cell surface to nuclear signaling. Sequencing of these oncogenes revealed that they were mutated forms of captured cellular genes and displayed tyrosine kinase activity. The epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor was the first of 40-50 transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptors to be cloned and sequenced. Beyond cell proliferation, activation of EGF receptor by its specific ligands controls important physiological processes, such as cell differentiation, apoptosis, cell migration, and cell shape. Activation of autocrine growth loops, consisting in solid human tumors of upregulated expression of EGFR together with increased production of ligands suggested its crucial role in autonomous tumor growth.

1 Signal Transduction by EGF Receptor Tyrosine Kinase.- 2 Characterization of Growth Factor Receptor-Directed Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases.- 3 Interaction of Heparin-Binding EGF-Like Growth Factor with Multiple Receptors.- 4 Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Expression in Head and Neck Tumorigenesis and Saturation of EGFR with Monoclonal Antibody RG83852.- 5 EGF Receptors as a Target for Therapy and Interactions with Angiogenesis.- 6 erbB Signalling and Endocrine Sensitivity of Human Breast Cancer.- 7 The Role of Estrogen in the Regulation of EGFR Expression.- 8 Multifunctional Growth Factors in Tumor Progression.- 9 The Role of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor in the Initiation and Progression of Malignancy.- 10 Preclinical Studies with Human Tumour Xenografts Using Rat Monoclonal Antibodies Directed Against the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor.- 11 Recombinant Fusion Toxins Targeted to Members of the ErbB Family of Receptor Tyrosine Kinases.- 12 EGF Receptor Inhibition by Antibody as Anticancer Therapy.- Previous Volumes Published in this Series.