Significance of EGFR investigation in odontogenic keratocyst: a narrative review.

Abstract

The recent classification of odontogenic keratocysts (OKSs) recognized them as benign neoplasms, although previous findings have revealed their aggressive nature. Immunohistochemical and molecular analyses have investigated OKSs, but the role of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has not been fully investigated, despite the importance of this oncogene in the process of carcinogenesis in tumors of epithelial origin. The EGFR protein is usually overexpressed, and the EGFR gene is mutated or amplified. This brief review aims to emphasize the importance of EGFR detection in these types of cysts. It was revealed that the majority of the studies examined EGFR protein expressionusing immunohistochemical methods; however, considering EGFR gene variants, mutations were less exploredin the previous periodfrom 1992 to 2023. Although EGFR gene polymorphisms are clinically important, they were not identified in the present study. In light of the current significance of EGFR variants, it would be beneficial to examine them in odontogenic lesions. This would enable resolving of discrepancies about their nature, and potentially enhance classificationsOKCs in the future.