EGFR
Epidermal growth factor receptor; validated cancer target in lung and colorectal cancer therapy.
Last refreshed: 13 May 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Timeline for EGFR
Cytospire's £61m oncology Series A oversubscribed
UK Startups and Innovation- What is EGFR in cancer biology?
- EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor) is a transmembrane receptor whose mutations or overexpression drive multiple cancers including non-small cell lung cancer and colorectal cancer. It is one of the most validated oncology drug targets.Source: Lowdown uk-startups-and-innovation U#4
- What drugs target EGFR in lung cancer?
- Approved EGFR inhibitors for lung cancer include gefitinib (Iressa), erlotinib (Tarceva), and osimertinib (Tagrisso). Cytospire's CYT X300 takes a different approach, using gamma delta T cells rather than kinase inhibition.Source: Lowdown uk-startups-and-innovation U#4
- Why is resistance to EGFR drugs a problem?
- Resistance to EGFR kinase inhibitors is a major clinical challenge, driving interest in alternative immune-based approaches like gamma delta T cell engagers (e.g. Cytospire's CYT X300) that target EGFR-expressing tumours through immune activation.Source: Lowdown uk-startups-and-innovation U#4
Background
EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor) appears in the context of Cytospire's CYT X300 pan-gamma delta T cell engager programme, funded by a £61m Series A in May 2026. EGFR is a validated solid tumour target; the reference indicates that CYT X300 is being developed against EGFR-expressing tumour cells, connecting the pan-gamma delta mechanism to an established oncology target.
EGFR is a transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase involved in cell growth and differentiation. Mutations or overexpression of EGFR are common in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), colorectal cancer, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, and glioblastoma. EGFR has been a major pharmaceutical target for over two decades, with approved therapies including gefitinib (Iressa), erlotinib (Tarceva), and osimertinib (Tagrisso). Resistance to EGFR inhibitors is a key clinical challenge, driving interest in alternative mechanisms like gamma delta T cell engagement to target EGFR-expressing tumours through immune activation rather than direct kinase inhibition.