Receptor tyrosine kinases as targets for cancer therapy

Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) transduce into the cell a complex network of environmental signals, orchestrating in a tightly regulated fashion mandatory processes for the development of multicellular organisms, such as cell growth, differentiation, migration and survival. Perturbation of RTK signaling caused by genetic or functional alterations results in development and progression of cancer. Therefore, strategies aimed at targeting RTKs are under intensive investigation in order to achieve highly selective anti-tumor devices. In this review we summarize the different approaches directed towards the interception of aberrant RTK activation in cancer therapy.