EGFR and cancer: Recent laboratory studies have shown that the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR, also known as ErbB1 or HER1) plays a critical role in the development and progression of a variety of malignant tumours by promoting cell growth, and by preventing apoptosis through regulation of downstream effectors such as mitogen-activated protein kinase, protein kinase B, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Klapper et al, 2000).