Abstract B221: Expression of EGFR ligands in non-small cell lung carcinoma xenografts as potential biomarkers for classical or targeted therapies

• Published in: Molecular cancer therapeutics 2009-12, Vol.8 (12_Supplement), p.B221-B221
• Main Authors: Fichtner, Iduna, Rivera, Maria, Rolff, Jana, Merk, Johannes
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1535-7163; 1538-8514
• DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.TARG-09-B221

Increased levels of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and its cognate ligands are common in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and correlate with a poor prognosis. In the last years targeted therapies against the EGFR were developed, but results of clinical trials were rather disappointing. The identification of biomarkers in NSCLC as predictive factors for an individualized therapy is urgently needed. Twenty six xenografts were established from fresh surgical material from NSCLC patients and characterized with regard to their sensitivity to four cytostatics (Carboplatin, Etoposide, Paclitaxel, Gemcitabine) and two EGFR-inhibitors (Cetuximab, Erlotinib). The expression of EGFR and its ligands epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor alpha (TGFα), epiregulin and amphiregulin were examined at mRNA and protein level. Three ligands, which bind exclusively to EGFR (EGF, TGFα and amphiregulin) showed correlations to the mRNA expression of the receptor. Also the mRNA-levels of amphiregulin and epiregulin correlated with each other. The responsiveness towards Etoposide correlated negatively with the EGF-protein (r=-0.479, P