EGFR protein overexpression correlates with chromosome 7 polysomy and poor prognostic parameters in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

• Published in: Journal of biomedical science 2012-04, Vol.19 (1), p.40-40, Article 40
• Main Authors: Dorđević, Gordana, Matušan Ilijaš, Koviljka, Hadžisejdić, Ita, Maričić, Anton, Grahovac, Blaženka, Jonjić, Nives
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cancer; Carcinoma; Carcinoma, Renal Cell - genetics; Carcinoma, Renal Cell - metabolism; Carcinoma, Renal Cell - mortality; Carcinoma, Renal Cell - pathology; Cell cycle; Chromosome 7; Chromosomes; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 7 - genetics; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 7 - metabolism; Disease-Free Survival; EGFR; Female; Fluorescence; Gene amplification; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; In Situ Hybridization; Kidney Neoplasms - genetics; Kidney Neoplasms - metabolism; Kidney Neoplasms - mortality; Kidney Neoplasms - pathology; Kinases; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Proteins - biosynthesis; Neoplasm Proteins - genetics; Pathology; Polyploidy; Prognosis; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor - biosynthesis; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor - genetics; Renal cell; Retrospective Studies; Signal transduction; Statistical analysis; Studies; Survival analysis; Survival Rate; Tumors
• ISSN: 1423-0127; 1021-7770; 1423-0127
• DOI: 10.1186/1423-0127-19-40

The role of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its receptor (EGFR) in the pathogenesis and progression of various malignant tumors has long been known, but there is still disagreement concerning prognostic significance of EGFR expression in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC). The present study was designed to analyze more objectively the protein EGFR expression in CCRCC and to compare its value with EGFR gene copy number changes and clinicopathologic characteristics including patient survival. The protein EGFR expression was analyzed immunohistochemically on 94 CCRCC, and gene copy number alterations of EGFR by FISH analysis on 41 CCRCC selected according to distinct membrane EGFR staining. Membrane EGFR expression in tumor cells was heterogeneous with respect to the proportion of positive cells and staining intensity. FISH analysis did not reveal EGFR gene amplification, while polysomy of chromosome 7 found in 41% was associated with higher EGFR membrane expression. Moreover, EGFR overexpression was associated with a higher nuclear grade, larger tumor size and shorter patient's survival, while there was no connection with pathological stage. In conclusion, the protein expression of EGFR had an impact on prognosis in patients with CCRCC, while an increased copy number of chromosome 7 could be the possible reason for EGFR protein overexpression in the absence of gene amplification.