EGFR and cancer: Alterations in the function of EGFR have been linked with oncogenic transformation, autonomous cell growth, invasion, angiogenesis and development of metastases in several cancers and are key characteristics of tumors.5 Malignant oral keratinocytes possess 5 to 50 times more EGFR than their normal counterparts.3 It is found at abnormally high levels on the surface of many types of cancer cells, so these cells may divide excessively in the presence of epidermal growth factor.