EPT
Treatment that generates electrical pulses through an electrode placed in a tumor to enhance the ability of anticancer drugs to enter tumor cells. Also called electroporation therapy.
ER
A protein found inside the cells of the female reproductive tissue, some other types of tissue, and some cancer cells. The hormone estrogen will bind to the receptors inside the cells and may cause the cells to grow. Also called estrogen receptor.
ER negative
Describes cells that do not have a protein that binds to the hormone estrogen. Cancer cells that are ER negative do not need estrogen to grow. This means that they will keep growing when estrogen is not present and do not stop growing when treated with substances that block estrogen from binding. Also called estrogen receptor negative.
ER positive
Describes cells that have a protein that binds to the hormone estrogen. Cancer cells that are ER positive may need estrogen to grow. These cells may stop growing or die when treated with substances that block the binding and actions of estrogen. Also called estrogen receptor positive.
ER-negative PR-negative HER2/neu-negative breast cancer
A type of breast cancer in which the tumor cells do not have estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, or large amounts of HER2/neu protein on their surface. Knowing whether breast cancer is triple negative is important in planning treatment. Also called TNBC and triple-negative breast cancer.
ERA-923
A substance that is being studied as a treatment for cancer. It belongs to a family of drugs called antiestrogens.
erb-38 immunotoxin
A toxic substance linked to an antibody that attaches to tumor cells and kills them.
ErbB1
A protein found on certain types of cells that binds to a substance called epidermal growth factor. The ErbB1 protein is involved in cell signaling pathways that control cell division and survival. Sometimes, mutations (changes) in the EGFR gene cause ErbB1 proteins to be made in higher than normal amounts on some types of cancer cells. This causes cancer cells to divide more rapidly. Drugs that block ErbB1 proteins are being used in the treatment of some types of cancer. ErbB1s are a type of receptor tyrosine kinase. Also called EGFR, epidermal growth factor receptor, and HER1.
ERBB1 gene
A gene that makes a protein called epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which is involved in cell growth and cell survival. Mutated (changed) forms of the ERBB1 gene and protein have been found in some types of cancer, including non-small cell lung cancer. These changes may cause cancer cells to grow and spread in the body. Checking for changes in the ERBB1 gene in tumor tissue may help plan cancer treatment. Also called EGFR gene, epidermal growth factor receptor gene, and HER1 gene.
Erbitux
A drug used alone or with other drugs to treat certain types of head and neck cancer, and a certain type of colorectal cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. Erbitux binds to a protein called epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which is found on some types of cancer cells. This may stop cancer cells from growing. Erbitux is a type of monoclonal antibody. Also called cetuximab.
