stimulates proliferation of a variety of cells in vivo and in vitro; a high proportion of glioblastomas, squamous carcinomas and breast carcinomas have abnormalities of epidermal growth factor receptor.

A cytokine, peptide factor produced by many cells that can stimulate cell proliferation. When discovered it was found to stimulate replication of the basal cells of skin hence the name epidermal. It exerts effect by interacting with specific cell surface receptors.

A growth factor which stimulates a variety of cell types including epidermal cells.