Prevention of mucus production in the respiratory tract by administration of egf-r antagonists

摘要

"PREVENTION OF MUCH PRODUCTION OF RESPIRATORY TRACT BY ADMINISTRATION OF EGF-R ANTAGONISTS". Hypersecretion of mucus in the lungs is inhibited by administration of an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) antagonist. The EGF-R antagonist may be in the form of a small organic molecule, an antibody, or part of an antibody, which binds to and blocks the EGF receptor. The EGF-R antagonist is preferably administered by injection in an amount sufficient to inhibit goblet cell formation in the pulmonary respiratory tract. Goblet cell degranulation that results in the production of respiratory tract mucus is therefore prevented. Tests are also provided for selection of candidate agents that inhibit goblet cell proliferation.