Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Staining Research Articles

Prognostic significance of immunohistochemical staining for myoferlin in clear cell renal cell carcinoma and its association with epidermal growth factor receptor expression

ObjectivesTo reveal the prognostic significance of myoferlin expression in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and its association with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression and cytoplasmic features based on lipogenic metabolism. Materials and methodsImmunohistochemical (IHC) staining for myoferlin and EGFR was conducted on 450 resected ccRCC specimens using tissue microarray, which was measured semiquantitatively. MYOF and EGFR mRNA data were acquired from the TCGA database. The cytoplasmic characteristics of ccRCC based on lipogenic metabolism were retrieved from previous study. Survival analyses were carried out for progression-free, overall, and cancer-specific survival using Kaplan-Meier with the log-rank tests and Cox regression models. Discrimination of prognostic prediction was analyzed by Harrell's C-index. In addition, cross-correlation analyses of myoferlin expression with clinicopathological characteristics and EGFR expression were performed using Pearson's χ2, Mann-Whitney U, and Pearson's r tests. ResultsHigh expression of myoferlin, which was related to high WHO grade (P< 0.001) and high TNM stage (P= 0.074), was significantly associated with short progression-free (P< 0.001), overall (P< 0.001), and cancer-specific survival (P< 0.001) of ccRCC patients. In multivariate analysis, IHC staining for myoferlin was independently associated with progression-free (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.734, P= 0.021), overall (HR = 1.750, P= 0.004), and cancer-specific (HR = 1.723, P= 0.044) survival when adjusted for TNM stage and WHO grade, with significantly improved C-indices. Furthermore, the expression of myoferlin and EGFR showed positive relationship at the protein (P< 0.001) and at the mRNA levels (r = 0.478, P< 0.001). In addition, clear to light-granular cytoplasm, representative of low-risk lipogenic metabolism, was predominantly observed in myoferlin-low ccRCC (P= 0.004). ConclusionsIHC staining for myoferlin was a useful prognostic biomarker of ccRCC. We hypothesize that EGFR overexpression and lipogenic metabolism alteration underlie the protumorous functions of myoferlin on ccRCC.

PTEN Is Associated With Worse Local Control in Early Stage Supraglottic Laryngeal Cancer Treated With Radiotherapy.

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to establish the prognostic value of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) expression on local control in patients with early stage supraglottic laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) treated with radiotherapy only.Study designRetrospective cohort study.MethodsImmunohistochemical staining for EGFR and PTEN was performed on pretreatment biopsies of a selected well‐defined homogeneous group of 52 patients with T1–T2 supraglottic LSCC treated with radiotherapy between 1990 and 2008. Kaplan–Meier analysis and univariate and multivariate Cox Regression analyses were performed to correlate clinical data and expression levels of EGFR and PTEN with local control.ResultsKaplan–Meier survival analysis and Cox Regression analysis showed a significant association between PTEN expression and local control (hazard ratio [HR] = 3.26, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.14–9.33, P = .027) and between lymph node status and local control (HR = 3.60, 95% CI = 1.26–10.31, P = .017). Both were independent prognostic factors in a multivariate analysis (HR = 3.28, 95% CI = 1.14–9.39, P = .027 and HR = 3.62, 95% CI = 1.26–10.37, P = .017, respectively). There was no significant association between EGFR expression and local control (HR = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.17–10.14, P = .79).ConclusionThis study showed an association between both high PTEN expression and the presence of lymph node metastasis and deteriorated local control in early stage supraglottic LSCC treated with radiotherapy.Level of EvidenceNA

Measuring microdose ABY-029 fluorescence signal in a primary human soft-tissue sarcoma resection.

Microdose administration of ABY-029, an anti-epidermal growth factor receptor Affibody molecule conjugated to IRDye 800CW, is being studied in a Phase 0 trial for resection of soft-tissue sarcomas. The excised tissue of a single patient in the microdose administration group was imaged with both a wide-field fluorescence surgical system and a flat-bed scanning fluorescence imaging system. Here the resultant fluorescence from a breadloaf section of the primary tumor specimen and six region-specific tissue samples collected from that breadloaf are compared using these two imaging systems - a flatbed, black-box, fluorescence scanning system, the Odyssey CLx, and a open-air, wide-field, pre-clinical surgical imaging system, the Solaris. Florescence signal is compared using a variety of methods including: mean, standard deviation, variance, tumor-to-background ratio, biological-variance ratio, and contrast-to-noise ratio. The images produced from the Odyssey scanner have higher signal variance but more accurately represent the EGFR expression in small tissue sections. The Solaris system has higher depth sensitivity and volume averaging, and as such has lower signal variation and higher contrast-to-noise ratio.

Prognostic value of localization of epidermal growth factor receptor in lung adenocarcinoma

BackgroundThe nuclear translocation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been considered to play a role in carcinogenesis. However, the relevance of differentially located EGFR proteins in lung cancer remains unclear.MethodsWe examined 161 patients with primary lung adenocarcinoma to detect EGFR expression in lung cancer cells using immunohistochemistry and determined the correlations of EGFR expression with clinical characteristics, EGFR mutations, and survival time. Moreover, we graded complete membranous staining with strong intensity as high membranous EGFR (mEGFR) expression, and nuclear EGFR staining with strong intensity as high nuclear (nEGFR) expression.ResultsThe prevalence of high mEGFR and nEGFR expression in lung adenocarcinoma was 42.86 and 39.13%, respectively. After multivariate analyses, high mEGFR expression was associated with a significantly reduced mortality risk in older patients, those with a history of smoking, and those without brain metastasis (hazard ratio[95% confidential interval], HR[95% CI] = 0.55[0.32~ 0.92]; 0.51[0.26~ 0.98] and 0.56[0.33~ 0.94], in overall survival, respectively). An association between high nEGFR expression and early recurrence was observed in patients with metastasis (HR[95% CI] =1.68[1.05~ 2.68], in progression-free survival). Notably, patients with low mEGFR and low nEGFR expression had the lowest survival rate in cases without brain metastasis (p = 0.018) and with a history of smoking (p = 0.062) and total EGFR (any high mEGFR or nEGFR) expression indicated a more favorable response to platinum-based chemotherapy regardless of EGFR mutations (HR[95% CI] =0.33[0.12–0.92]; adjusted HR[95% CI] = 0.36[0.13~ 1.02] with the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitor).ConclusionsEGFR proteins at different cellular locations in lung adenocarcinoma might influence the biology of cancer cells and are an independent indicator of more favorable prognosis and treatment response.

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-, epidermal growth factor receptor-, and mesenchymal epithelial transition factor-positive sites of gastric cancer using surgical samples.

Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) play critical roles in gastric cancer (GC) progression and are potential targets for novel molecular-targeted agents or photo-immunotherapies. During patient selection, targeted biopsy is the first step. However, heterogeneous expression of RTKs based on the macroscopic appearance in GC has not been extensively addressed. Accordingly, in this study, we evaluated differences in RTK expression associated with macroscopic appearance in GC. In total, 375 consecutive patients who had undergone gastrectomy at the National Cancer Center Hospital East and who had histologically proven adenocarcinoma, available archived tumor sample, and no history of chemotherapy were enrolled in this study. For these cases, tissue microarray (TMA) samples were examined using immunohistochemistry (IHC). Based on the results of IHC, cases were selected for detailed examination. We re-evaluated IHC scores in more than three tumor blocks per case and comparatively evaluated differences in IHC expression in RTKs between the mucosal portion (MuP) and invasive portion (InP). Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-, and mesenchymal epithelial transition factor (c-MET)-positive rates were 6, 9, and 20%, respectively. Twenty-two cases were then analyzed to assess differences in IHC expression levels in the same lesion. Concordance rates of positive staining of HER2, EGFR, and MET between MuP and whole tumor were 100, 40, and 56% and those with InP were 46, 100, and 56%. To avoid underestimating expression status, biopsies must be taken from MuP for HER2, InP for EGFR, and both proportions for c-MET.

EGFR amplification and expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma in young adults

The aim of this study was to investigate epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene alterations in two groups of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) (a test group of subjects aged ≤40 years and a control group of subjects aged ≥50 years) and to associate the results with EGFR immunostaining, clinicopathological features, and the prognosis. Sixty cases of OSCC were selected (test group, n=21; control group, n=39). The tissue microarray technique was applied to ensure the uniformity of results. Gene amplification was analyzed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and immunohistochemical staining for EGFR was analyzed using an automated imaging system. EGFR amplification was higher in the test group than in the control group (P=0.018) and was associated with advanced clinical stage (P=0.013), regardless of age. Patients with EGFR overexpression had worse survival rates, as did patients who had T3–T4 tumours and positive margins. EGFR overexpression has a negative impact on disease progression. Despite the higher amplification of EGFR in young adults, it does not significantly impact the survival rates of affected patients.

Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR)-targeted Photoimmunotherapy (PIT) for the Treatment of EGFR-expressing Bladder Cancer.

The use of light as a means of therapy for bladder cancer has a long history but has been hampered by a lack of tumor specificity and therefore, damage to the normal bladder mucosa. Here, we describe a targeted form of phototherapy called photoimmunotherapy (PIT), which targets EGFR-expressing bladder cancer. Anti-EGFR antibody panitumumab was labeled with the photoabsorber (PA), IRDye 700Dx (IR700), to create a panitumumab-IR700 antibody-PA conjugate that is activated by near-infrared radiation (NIR). Bladder cancer tissue microarray (TMA) and bladder cancer cell lines were analyzed for expression of EGFR. Mechanism of PIT-induced cell death was studied using proliferation assays, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and production of reactive oxygen species. Finally, the in vivo effect was studied in xenografts. EGFR staining of TMAs showed that while most bladder cancers have expression of EGFR to a varying degree, squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) have the highest expression of EGFR. Panitumumab-IR700 activated by NIR light rapidly killed UMUC-5 cells, a bladder SCC line. Panitumumab alone, panitumumab-IR700 without NIR, or NIR alone had no effect on cells. TEM demonstrated that cell death is due to necrosis. Singlet oxygen species contributed toward cell death. NIR-PIT with panitumumab-IR700 reduced growth compared with only panitumumab-IR700-treated UMUC-5 xenograft tumors. PIT is a new targeted treatment for bladder cancer. Panitumumab-IR700-induced PIT selectively kills EGFR-expressing bladder cancer cells in vitro and in vivo and therefore warrants further therapeutic studies in orthotopic xenografts of bladder cancer and ultimately in patients. Mol Cancer Ther; 16(10); 2201-14. ©2017 AACR.

EGFR scoring in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and its association with clinicopathological variables

Background: Head and Neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the seventh most common cancer in the world with poor overall survival rate which is unchanged during the last two decades. Aim: Aim of our study is to measure the level of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) expression in HNSCC by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and to correlate EGFR with clinicopathological variables. Settings and Design: Cross sectional study from 1st October 2012 to 31st of March 2014 was performed. Materials and Methods: After taking detailed history and a thorough examination, biopsy/ specimen of HNSCC region were evaluated to confirm the diagnosis of HNSCC. Paraffin blocks of such tumors were processed for EGFR staining. Staining intensity was evaluated by using scale from 1 to 4. Statistical Analysis: Chi-square test was used as appropriate for data analysis. Results: In the present study 38/50 (78%) patients were diagnosed as well differentiated, 12/50(24%) were diagnosed as moderately differentiated. For EGFR staining, 24/50 (48%) scored as +2, 16/50(32%) as +3, 8/50(16%) as +1 and 2/50(4%) scored as 0. 23/38(60.5%) well differentiated SCC cases presented as +2, 5/38(13.2%) as +3, 8/38(21.1%) as +1 and 2/38(5.3%) as 0. 11/12(91.6%) moderately differentiated SCC cases were scored as +3, 1/12(8.3%) as +2. p value 0.001, which is highly significant. However, correlation of EGFR scoring with patients age, sex, addiction history, site of the tumor was insignificant. Conclusion: EGFR was highly expressed in HNSCC. The result of our study showed that, high EGFR scoring was associated with high grade of the tumor. There was no significant relationship between EGFR scoring and clinicopathological variables.

EGFR as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in ovarian cancer: evaluation of patient cohort and literature review.

BackgroundLimited effectiveness of therapeutic agents targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in clinical trials using unselected ovarian cancer patients has prompted efforts to more effectively stratify patients who might best benefit from these therapies. A series of studies that have evaluated immunohistochemical (IHC) staining of EGFR in ovarian cancer biopsies has produced unclear results as to the utility of this measure as a prognostic biomarker. Here, we used one of the largest, single institution cohorts to date to determine possible associations of EGFR expression with patient outcome.MethodsWe performed IHC staining of EGFR in tissue microarrays including nearly 500 patient tumor samples. Staining was classified by subcellular localization (membranous, cytoplasmic) or by automated image analysis algorithms. We also performed a literature review to place these results in the context of previous studies.ResultsNo significant associations were found between EGFR subcellular localization or expression and histology, stage, grade, or outcome. These results were broadly consistent with the consensus of the reviewed literature.ConclusionsThese results suggest that IHC staining for EGFR may not be a useful prognostic biomarker for ovarian cancer patients. Future studies should pursue other staining methods or analysis in combination with other pathway mediators.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) targeted photoimmunotherapy (PIT) for the treatment of EGFR expressing bladder cancer.

291 Background: There are limited treatment options for patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) who fail intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG). The use of light as a means of therapy for bladder cancer (BC) has a long history but has been hampered by a lack of tumor specificity and toxicity. Monoclonal antibody (mAb)-conjugates represent an emerging therapeutic approach for malignancies that improves upon tumor specificity. The use of a mAb-photo-absorber (PA) conjugate is a more selective method of delivering light therapy and has been termed “photoimmunotherapy” (PIT). In this report, PIT is used to target the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). EGFR is a good tumor-specific target as it is enriched in the basal molecular subtype of BC. In the present study, anti-EGFR antibody panitumumab (pan) was labeled with the PA, IRDye 700Dx (IR700), to create a pan IR700 mAb-PA conjugate which is activated by near-infrared radiation (NIR). Methods: BC tissue microarray (TMA) and BC cell lines were analyzed for expression of EGFR. Mechanism of PIT induced cell death was studied using proliferation assays, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and production of reactive oxygen species. Finally, the in vivo effect was studied in xenografts. Results: EGFR staining of TMAs showed that while most BCs have expression of EGFR to some degree, squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) have the highest expression of EGFR. Pan IR700 activated by NIR light rapidly killed UMUC-5 cells, a bladder SCC line. Pan alone, pan IR700 without NIR, or NIR alone had no effect on cells. TEM demonstrated that cell death is due to necrosis. Singlet oxygen species contributed towards cell death. NIR-PIT with pan IR700 reduced growth compared to only pan IR700 treated UMUC-5 xenograft tumors. Conclusions: PIT is a new targeted treatment for BC. Our data demonstrate that pan IR700-induced PIT selectively kills EGFR-expressing bladder cancer cells in vitro and in vivo and hence warrants further studies in orthotopic models and in patients. We suspect that EGFR-directed therapy with PIT is a viable strategy for the basal molecular subtype of BC and will be testing this hypothesis in the future.

Mutations of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Gene in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

PurposeEpidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is considered a potential therapeutic target for anti-EGFR therapy in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, the frequency of EGFR gene mutation in TNBC is low and varies with ethnicity. This study aimed to investigate the incidence of EGFR gene mutation in TNBC.MethodsEGFR protein expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in tissue microarrays of 493 TNBC cases using four different primary antibodies, which included mutation-specific antibodies. For cases with an immunoreactivity level ≥1+, we performed pyrosequencing analysis for EGFR gene mutation. A case was considered mutation-positive when its mutation frequency minus its limit of detection (LOD) was >10%. Cases with mutation frequency higher than LOD were assessed for EGFR gene mutation status using the Cobas assay and by peptide nucleic acid-mediated polymerase chain reaction (PNA-clamping).ResultsAmong 493 TNBCs, 148 (30.0%) exhibited staining ≥1+ for EGFR, including 78 with 1+, 49 with 2+, and 21 with 3+. Positive EGFR expression (≥2+) was significantly associated with lymphovascular invasion (p=0.010), but not with overall survival (p=0.444) or disease-free survival (p=0.388). None of the 493 TNBCs harbored an EGFR gene mutation. Among 148 cases with an EGFR staining result ≥1+, five (3.4%) showed mutation frequencies (4.4%–10.9%) higher than LOD (2.6%–4.3%) in exons 19 (L747_P753>Q) or 21 (L858R and L861Q) as determined by pyrosequencing. However, Cobas and PNA-clamping failed to detect the presence of EGFR gene mutation in these five cases.ConclusionNo activating mutation of EGFR gene of clinical significance was observed in 148 TNBC cases using three commercially available methods. Thus, EGFR gene mutation appears to be an extremely rare event in patients with TNBC.

Caveolin-1 Deletion Prevents Hypertensive Vascular Remodeling Induced by Angiotensin II.

It has been proposed that membrane microdomains, caveolae, in vascular cells are critical for signal transduction and downstream functions induced by angiotensin II (AngII). We have tested our hypothesis that caveolin-1 (Cav1), a major structural protein of vascular caveolae, plays a critical role in the development of vascular remodeling by AngII via regulation of epidermal growth factor receptor and vascular endothelial adhesion molecule-1. Cav1-/- and control Cav+/+ mice were infused with AngII for 2 weeks to induce vascular remodeling and hypertension. On AngII infusion, histological assessments demonstrated medial hypertrophy and perivascular fibrosis of aorta and coronary and renal arteries in Cav1+/+ mice compared with sham-operated Cav1+/+ mice. AngII-infused Cav1+/+ mice also showed a phenotype of cardiac hypertrophy with increased heart weight to body weight ratio compared with control Cav1+/+ mice. In contrast, Cav1-/- mice infused with AngII showed attenuation of vascular remodeling but not cardiac hypertrophy. Similar levels of AngII-induced hypertension were found in both Cav1+/+ and Cav1-/- mice as assessed by telemetry. In Cav1+/+ mice, AngII enhanced tyrosine-phosphorylated epidermal growth factor receptor staining in the aorta, which was attenuated in Cav1-/- mice infused with AngII. Enhanced Cav1 and vascular endothelial adhesion molecule-1 expression was also observed in aorta from AngII-infused Cav1+/+ mice but not in Cav1-/- aorta. Experiments with vascular cells further provided a potential mechanism for our in vivo findings. These data suggest that Cav1, and presumably caveolae, in vascular smooth muscle and the endothelium plays a critical role in vascular remodeling and inflammation independent of blood pressure or cardiac hypertrophy regulation.

Epidermal growth factor receptor as an adverse survival predictor in squamous cell carcinoma of the penis

Penile carcinoma (PC) is more frequent in underdeveloped countries, generally is diagnosed at an advanced stage when therapeutic options are restricted, and thus is associated with high morbidity/mortality rates. Recent studies have demonstrated clinical benefits with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeted therapy in patients with PC, although there is no test that provides accurate patient selection. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prognostic value of EGFR gene and protein status in tumor samples from patients with primary penile squamous cell carcinoma. We assessed the expression of wild-type and 2 mutant EGFR isoforms (delA746-E750 and mL858R) by immunohistochemistry in 139 samples, of which 49 were also evaluated for EGFR copy number by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Positive immunohistochemical staining of wild-type and mutant EGFR was evidenced by complete and strong membranous staining. For FISH analysis, cases were considered unaltered, polysomic, or amplified, as determined by signals of the EGFR gene and chromosome 7. An independent cohort of 107 PC samples was evaluated for mutations in EGFR, KRAS, and BRAF. Protein overexpression was noted in nearly half of the cases and was associated with cancer recurrence (P=.004) and perineural invasion (P=.005). Expression of the 2 mutated EGFR isoforms was not observed. The FISH status was not associated with protein expression. Altered FISH (polysomy and gene amplification) was an independent risk factor for dying of cancer. Only 1 patient of 107 presented KRAS mutations, and no mutations of EGFR or BRAF were observed.

Epidermal growth factor receptor and B7-H3 expression in esophageal squamous tissues correlate to patient prognosis.

Biomarkers that can serve as diagnostic and prognostic indicators of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) are urgently needed to help improve patient outcomes. Here, the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and costimulatory molecule B7-H3, both of which have been implicated in tumor onset and progression in certain tumors, was investigated in relation to the clinical characteristics and survival outcomes of patients with ESCC. ESCC tissue samples were analyzed for 100 patients. Tumor and patient characteristics were recorded. Tissues were investigated for EGFR and B7-H3 staining by immunohistochemistry. Patients were followed for up to 96 months to determine overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). High expression for EGFR (68.0%) and B7-H3 (66.0%) was observed in the majority of cases. High expression of either EGFR or B7-H3 was correlated with tumor invasion depth and clinical stage (P<0.05). Further, high expression of either EGFR or B7-H3 was correlated with worse survival outcomes. The estimated OS (38.1 months) and PFS (13.4 months) of patients with high expression of EGFR were lower than those of patients with low expression (69.3 and 68.1 months, P<0.05). The estimated OS (31.1 months) and PFS (13.1 months) of patients with high expression of B7-H3 were also lower than those of patients with low expression (69.3 and 66.6 months, P<0.05). Indeed, Cox multiple regression showed that OS and PFS were correlated with EGFR (relative risk =1.853, 1.875, respectively) and B7-H3 (relative risk =1.886, 2.061, respectively) (all P<0.05) expression level. Thus, EGFR and B7-H3 are highly expressed in tumor tissues of patients with ESCC. Their expression levels are correlated with tumor severity and survival, and therefore these may be viable biomarkers to aid in prognosis determination.

Insulin-like growth factor II messenger RNA-binding protein-3 is an indicator of malignant phyllodes tumor of the breast

The aim of this study was to elucidate the clinicopathological and prognostic significance of the expressions of insulin-like growth factor II mRNA-binding protein-3 (IMP3) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in phyllodes tumors (PTs). Immunohistochemical staining for IMP3 and EGFR was performed in 130 cases of primary PTs (83 benign, 28 borderline, 19 malignant), 34 recurrent/metastatic PTs, and 26 fibroadenomas (FAs). Among the primary tumors, a high expression of IMP3 was significantly more frequently present in malignant PTs (17/19, 89%) than in the FAs (0/26, 0%), benign PTs (0/83, 0%) and borderline PTs (3/28, 11%). The recurrent and metastatic lesions of malignant PTs also showed high IMP3 expression (3/5 [60%] and 6/6 [100%], respectively). Most malignant PTs showed strong IMP3 expression at the interductal area or more diffusely, whereas weak and focal (low) expression of IMP3 was limited to the periductal area in FAs and benign PTs. EGFR overexpression was significantly correlated with tumor grade and high IMP3 expression. Overexpressions of IMP3 and EGFR were significantly associated with shorter periods of metastasis-free and disease-free survival. The results suggest that high expressions of IMP3 and EGFR with a characteristic staining pattern may be helpful for both identifying malignant PT and predicting the prognosis of these tumors.

CD24 associates with EGFR and supports EGF/EGFR signaling via RhoA in gastric cancer cells

BackgroundCD24, a mucin-like membrane glycoprotein, plays a critical role in carcinogenesis, but its role in human gastric cancer and the underlying mechanism remains undefined.MethodsThe contents of CD24 and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in gastric cancer cells (SGC-7901 and BGC-823) and non-malignant gastric epithelial cells (GES-1) were evaluated by Western blotting assay. Cellular EGFR staining was examined by immunofluorescence assay. Cell migration rate was measured by wound healing assay. The effects of depletion/overexperssion of CD24 on EGFR expression and activation of EGF/EGFR singaling pathways were evaluated by immunofluorescence, qPCR, Western blotting and flow cytometry techniques. RhoA activity was assessed by pulldown assay. CD24 and EGFR expression patterns in human gastric tumor samples were also investigated by immunohistochemistry staining.ResultsCD24 was overexpressed in human gastric cancer cells. Ectopic expression of CD24 in gastric epithelial cells augmented the expression of EGFR, while knockdown of CD24 in gastric cancer cells decreased the level of EGFR and cell migration velocity. To further explore the mechanisms, we investigated the effect of CD24 expression on EGF/EGFR signaling. We noticed that this effect of CD24 on EGFR expression was dependent on promoting EGFR internalization and degradation. Lower ERK and Akt phosphorylations in response to EGF stimulation were observed in CD24-depleted cells. In addition, we noticed that the effect of CD24 on EGFR stability was mediated by RhoA activity in SGC-7901 gastric cancer cells. Analysis of gastric cancer specimens revealed a positive correlation between CD24 and EGFR levels and an association between CD24 expression and worse prognosis.ConclusionThus, these findings suggest for the first time that CD24 regulates EGFR signaling by inhibiting EGFR internalization and degradation in a RhoA-dependent manner in gastric cancer cells.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12967-016-0787-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

High levels of EGFR expression in tumor stroma are associated with aggressive clinical features in epithelial ovarian cancer.

PurposeThe aim of this study was to investigate the clinical significance and biological function of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expressed in tumor stroma of epithelial ovarian cancer.MethodsImmunohistological staining of EGFR was evaluated in 242 patients with epithelial ovarian cancer. The correlations of EGFR expression in tumor stroma with clinicopathological features and with the expression level of Ki-67 were analyzed by SPSS software. Kaplan–Meier analysis and the Cox proportional hazard model were used to analyze the effect of EGFR expression in tumor stroma on the prognosis of patients with epithelial ovarian cancer. Meanwhile, the activities of proliferation and migration of tumor cells were detected when EGFR overexpressed in stroma cells.ResultsEGFR expression in tumor stroma correlated significantly with clinical stage (χ2=7.002, P=0.008) and distant metastases (χ2=16.59, P<0.001). Furthermore, there was a significantly positive correlation between the level of EGFR expressed in tumor stroma and the level of Ki-67 expressed in tumor cells (χ2=6.120, P=0.013). Patients with high EGFR expression level in tumor stroma showed poor survival (P=0.002). Multivariate analysis showed that high expression of EGFR in tumor stroma was an independent predictor for epithelial ovarian cancer patients (hazard ratio =1.703; 95% confidence interval 1.125–2.578, P=0.012). Furthermore, stroma cells overexpressing EGFR could promote the proliferation and migration of adjacent tumor cells.ConclusionHigh expression of EGFR in tumor stroma correlates with aggressive clinical features in epithelial ovarian cancer, and is an independent prognostic factor.

Expression of p120-catenin expression in oral epithelial dysplasia and oral squamous cell carcinoma: An immunohistochemical study

Objective: Most oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) are preceded by premalignant conditions that demonstrate histopathologically as epithelial dysplasia and their malignant potential of a lesion is mainly determined using various grading systems. Loss of p120 catenin (p120) or its phosphorylation destabilizes E-cadherin; thereby it regulates cadherin stability and turnover which could affect the cell adhesive and migratory capacity. Therefore, p120 is related to invasiveness and progression of various human epithelial many tumor types, including OSCCs. Methodology: The immunoexpression of p120 in 60 selected cases were grouped into; oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) ( n = 40) and OSCC ( n = 20). The cases were assessed by two independent observers. The p120 immunolabeling was analyzed using the parameters intensity, percentage and the location of the epidermal growth factor receptor staining. Results: In OED, there was p120 expression observed in 100% of cases with 62.5% cases showing preserved expression, i.e., >50%, whereas 15% showed reduced/downregulation of p120 catenin levels. Further, a variation within the grades was also observed. The low-risk group of OED showed a preserved expression seen with most of the cases having >50% expression (95%) positivity and in the high-risk cases, there was a marked reduction with 70% of the cases showing reduced expression ( P Conclusion: The presence of strong reactivity was seen in oral dysplasia and most of the well-differentiated OSCC, the infiltrating areas of aggressive OSCC showed decreased and/or total lack of immunostaining. The abnormal staining pattern of p120 can reflect loss/reduction of adhesion and could be used to identify the malignant potential of OED and aggressiveness in OED.

Human papillomavirus infection and biomarkers in sinonasal inverted papillomas: clinical significance and molecular mechanisms.

The role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in sinonasal inverted papillomas (IPs) is controversial. Determining the prevalence of HPV infection and its impact on the molecular biology of these tumors is critical to characterizing its role in the pathogenesis of IPs. A total of 112 paraffin-embedded IPs from 90 patients were studied. A tissue microarray was constructed and stained for p16, p53, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and cyclin D1. HPV presence and types were determined using PGMY 09/11 primers and integration using HPV 11 detection of integrated papillomavirus sequences by ligation-mediated polymerase chain reaction (DIPS-PCR). HPV was detected in 11 of 90 (12%) patients. HPV 11 was found in 9 samples. HPV 6 and HPV 27 were found in 1 sample each. EGFR staining proportion was higher in HPV-positive IPs vs HPV-negative specimens (56.2% vs 23.6%; p = 0.009). Differences in p16, p53, and cyclin D1 staining were not significant. HPV-positive lesions tend to progress to malignancy (p = 0.064). Three samples were analyzed for integration. Viral integration was found in both malignant tumors but not in the precursor IP. Degradation of p53 and p16/cyclin D1 dysregulation are not important mechanisms in low-risk HPV-related IP. The low prevalence of HPV in this series indicates it is not a main etiological factor for IPs; however, when present, low-risk HPV may contribute to the biology of IPs through an increase of EGFR expression and a predisposition for malignant progression by integration into the cellular genome.

111In-cetuximab as a diagnostic agent by accessible epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor targeting in human metastatic colorectal carcinoma.

Colorectal adenocarcinoma is a common cause death cancer in the whole world. The aim of this study is to define the 111In-cetuximab as a diagnosis tracer of human colorectal adenocarcinoma. In this research, cell uptake, nano-SPECT/CT scintigraphy, autoradiography, biodistribution and immunohitochemical staining of EGF receptor were included. HCT-116 and HT-29 cell expressed a relatively high and moderate level of EGF receptor, respectively. The nano-SPECT/CT image of 111In-cetuximab showed tumor radiation uptake of subcutaneous HCT-116 xenograft tumor was higher than SW-620. Autoradiography image also showed that tumor of HCT-116 had high 111In-cetuximab uptake. Mice that bearing CT-26 in situ xenograft colorectal tumors showed similar high uptake in vivo and ex vivo through nano-SPECT/CT imaging at 72 hours. Metastatic HCT-116/Luc tumors demonstrated the highest uptake at 72 hours after the injection of 111In-cetuximab. Relatively, results of 111In-DTPA showed that metabolism through urinary system, especially in the kidney. The quantitative analysis of biodistribution showed count value of metastatic HCT-116/Luc tumors that treated with 111In-cetuximab had a significant difference (P < 0.05) compared with that treated with 111In-DTPA after injection 72 hours. Result of immunohistologic staining of EGF receptor also showed high EGF receptor expression and uptake in metastatic colorectal tumors. In summary, we suggested that 111In-cetuximab will be a potential tool for detecting EGF receptor expression in human metastatic colorectal carcinoma.