Colorectal cancer research reveals new mechanism in targeted therapy against metastasis

Researchers at the Medical University of Vienna have described a mechanism in metastatic colorectal cancer that has received little attention to date: A key target of existing therapies, the so-called epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), is likely to affect more than just the cancer cells themselves.

The study shows that EGFR also influences certain immune cells in the tumor microenvironment—and thereby helps determine how effectively the body's own defenses can combat the tumor.

The findings have recently been published in the journal Cell Death & Differentiation. ...