Amphiregulin (AREG)

Amphiregulin is a transmembrane glycoprotein encoded by the AREG gene. It functions as a ligand for the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), triggering signaling cascades that regulate cell proliferation, tissue repair, inflammation response, and immune modulation. Amphiregulin is expressed in various tissues including epithelial cells and certain immune cells. Its mRNA levels are frequently elevated in multiple cancers—such as colorectal cancer—and serve both prognostic and predictive roles for patient outcomes and therapeutic responses to anti-EGFR agents like cetuximab. High levels of amphiregulin are also associated with tissue repair processes following injury or inflammation. As a biomarker ("AREG mRNA biomarker"), it is particularly valuable for monitoring disease progression or treatment efficacy in oncology settings as well as inflammatory conditions like graft-versus-host disease.

Other names

Epithelium-derived transforming growth factorColorectal cancer-associated protein 1SDGFAREGBARgene symbol AREG

Drugs targeting AREG act by inhibiting its interaction with EGFR or downstream signaling pathways; for example, anti-EGFR therapies block ligand-induced receptor activation and subsequent cell proliferation/survival signals.