Epidermal growth factor receptor expression in invasive thymoma

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a transmembrane glycoprotein with intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity. Activation results in a variety of cellular responses including cell proliferation and differentiation. In clinical trials, anti-EGFR is showing promise in the treatment of solid tumors e...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of cancer research and clinical oncology 2002-03, Vol.128 (3), p.167-170
Main Authors: HENLEY, J. D, KOUKOULIS, G. K, LOEHRER, P. J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Biological and medical sciences
Cancer
Clinical trials
Drug therapy
Female
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
Genes, erbB-1 - genetics
Humans
Immunohistochemistry
Male
Medical sciences
Medical treatment
Middle Aged
Neoplasm Invasiveness
Oncology
Pneumology
Proteins
Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor - biosynthesis
Thymoma - genetics
Thymoma - pathology
Thymus Neoplasms - genetics
Thymus Neoplasms - pathology
Tumors
Tumors of the respiratory system and mediastinum
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Summary:Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a transmembrane glycoprotein with intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity. Activation results in a variety of cellular responses including cell proliferation and differentiation. In clinical trials, anti-EGFR is showing promise in the treatment of solid tumors expressing EGFR. Thus, we assessed EGFR expression in a series of thymic epithelial tumors. Tumors from 37 patients seen at Indiana University School of Medicine (IUMC) for treatment of thymoma (31 patients) or thymic carcinoma (six patients) were assessed for EGFR expression. Five-micron sections of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor (28 invasive and/or metastatic thymomas, six thymic carcinomas, and three non-invasive thymomas) were stained with anti-EGFR. Any degree of cytoplasmic membrane staining of tumor cells was considered positive; furthermore, staining was scored 0 to 3+ using criteria as standardized for HER-2/neu assessment of breast carcinoma. Appropriate controls were performed. Positive staining of tumor was observed in 28 tumors (23 invasive and/or metastatic thymomas, two thymic carcinomas, and three non-invasive thymomas). EGFR is expressed in a high percentage of thymic epithelial tumors. EGFR is often strongly expressed and is a potential therapeutic target in patients with malignant thymic tumors. We are pursuing additional studies to assess anti-EGRF in the treatment of patients with advanced thymoma.
ISSN:0171-5216
1432-1335
DOI:10.1007/s00432-001-0319-9