Main > NEUROLOGY. > Erlotinib.HCl (EGFR Inhibitor) > Org.: USA. H. (Axon Regeneration) > Work Description

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Mature neurons in the central nervous system fail to regen-erate following injury; in fact, this is the main reason that spinal cord injury typically results in permanent paralysis and loss of sensation. A new study shows that small-molecule inhibitors of the epidermal growth factor receptor can coax neurons into growing extensions known as axons, suggesting that such compounds might prove useful as treatments for spinal cord injury. Author demonstrate that inhibiting EGFR with these compounds blocks the activities of myelin inhibitors and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans—both factors that normally inhibit regeneration of injured axons. Local administration of the small molecules results in significant regeneration of injured optic nerve fibers in mice, they report. He notes that localized administration of Erlotinib.HCl, an oral EGFR inhibitor for cancer treatment, also does the trick. His team is now investigating whether this drug can elicit a similar effect when administered orally.




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