Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR)

Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) is a type of tyrosine kinase receptor that is upregulated in various cancers, facilitating the growth of solid tumors. The physiological function of EGFR involves regulating epithelial tissue growth and homeostasis, and in some cancers, it can act as a tumorigenic driver. Increased levels of EGFR can serve as a suitable diagnostic marker for head and neck, ovarian, cervical, bladder, and esophageal cancers. Additionally, monitoring EGFR levels can track therapeutic progress in cancer treatment.

Exosomes are secreted by almost all cell types and are present in bodily fluids such as blood. The membrane components of exosomes resemble those of their originating cells and contain signals from the source cell. In cancer, exosomes containing EGFR antigens are elevated in the blood, and their analysis can be valuable for diagnostic and treatment monitoring purposes. The use of biosensors for diagnostic and therapeutic applications in oncology has expanded, aiming for simple, rapid, and accurate detection. Employing microfluidic systems in biosensor design can streamline testing processes, enhance detection accuracy and sensitivity, and reduce sample volume. Therefore, designing a microfluidic biosensor for isolating exosomes from blood and detecting EGFR-positive exosomes could provide an effective tool for diagnostic and treatment monitoring in cancer.