Glossary Term:

Title

epidermal growth factor (EGFR)

Phonetic

<b>ep</b>-ih-<b>DERM</b>-uhl

Description

Proteins on the surface of cells that signal them to grow and divide. Also called EGFR. Some cancer cells grow faster because they contain more growth factor receptors than normal cells. Drugs that block EGFR signals (EGFR inhibitors) can be used to treat certain types of cancer.