Research progress of epidermal growth factor receptor in metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease and related diseases

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a key receptor tyrosine kinase, regulates cell proliferation, differentiation, metabolism and inflammation. It is implicated in the progression of MASLD, steatohepatitis, liver fibrosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, type 2 diabetes and other metabolic diseases. This review summarised the structure and function of EGFR, its molecular mechanisms in different pathological stages of MASLD (steatosis, inflammation, fibrosis), its association with hepatocellular carcinoma and type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease, as well as the research progress of EGFR-targeted therapy and the challenges faced in clinical application.