A link between a synonymous SNP and the clinical response to tyrosine kinase inhibitors

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a member of the large receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) family. Upon binding to corresponding growth factor ligands, EGFR dimerizes, and triggers intrinsic protein tyrosine kinase activity that regulates cell growth, proliferation, differentiation and survival (1,2). EGFR consists of an extracellular ligand-binding domain, a single transmembrane region and an intracellular tyrosine kinase domain (3). Phosphorylated EGFR stimulates many downstream signaling pathways by recruitment of effector proteins.