Targeting epidermal growth factor receptor signalling pathway: A promising therapeutic option for COVID‐19

Abstract

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) is continuously producing new variants, necessitating effective therapeutics. Patients are not only confronted by the immediate symptoms of infection but also by the long‐term health issues linked to long COVID‐19. Activation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signalling during SARS‐CoV‐2 infection promotes virus propagation, mucus hyperproduction, and pulmonary fibrosis, and suppresses the host's antiviral response. Over the long term, EGFR activation in COVID‐19, particularly in COVID‐19‐induced pulmonary fibrosis, may be linked to the development of lung cancer. In this review, we have summarised the significance of EGFR signalling in the context of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. We also discussed the targeting of EGFR signalling as a promising strategy for COVID‐19 treatment and highlighted erlotinib as a superior option among EGFR inhibitors. Erlotinib effectively blocks EGFR and AAK1, thereby preventing SARS‐CoV‐2 replication, reducing mucus hyperproduction, TNF‐α expression, and enhancing the host's antiviral response. Nevertheless, to evaluate the antiviral efficacy of erlotinib, relevant clinical trials involving an appropriate patient population should be designed.