Abstract
Abstract Objectives: The anti-EGFR antibody cetuximab, combined with chemotherapy, is the standard therapy for recurrent/metastatic (R/M) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, the response rate and survival benefit are limited. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor ligands epiregulin (EREG) and amphiregulin (AREG), as predictive prognostic markers for the efficacy of cetuximab combined with chemotherapy in R/M HNSCC. Materials and methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 37 patients diagnosed with R/M HNSCC. Tumor samples from biopsy specimens or surgical specimens were analyzed for EREG and AREG mRNA gene expression, and clinical outcomes evaluated. Survival rates were estimated by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to test the potential association between ligand expression, overall survival (OS), and progression free survival (PFS). Results: Values of EREG ≤ 15.87 and AREG ≤ 11.80, determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, were associated with significantly longer OS (p=0.03 and p=0.01, respectively), as well as PFS (p=0.04 and p=0.04, respectively). EREG and AREG expression levels were significantly correlated (r=0.73, p<0.01). Multivariate analysis revealed that AREG expression was significantly associated with OS and PFS. Conclusion: R/M HNSCC patients with higher EREG and AREG gene expression appear to benefit more from cetuximab combined with chemotherapy than those with lower expression. The potential for these ligands as prognostic biomarkers for cetuximab-containing regimens requires further evaluation. Citation Format: Yasunao Kogashiwa, Hitoshi Inoue, Kiyomi Kuba, Masanori Yasuda, Mitsuhiko Nakahira, Masashi Sugasawa. Expression of epiregulin/amphiregulin associates with prognosis in recurrent/metastatic head and neck cancer treated with cetuximab [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 2578.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
