EGF-R and PDGF-R, but not bcl-2, overexpression predict overall survival in patients with low-grade astrocytomas

• Published in: Journal of surgical oncology 2004-04, Vol.86 (1), p.34-40
• Main Authors: Varela, Mirta, Ranuncolo, Stella Maris, Morand, Ana, Lastiri, José, Joffé, Elisa Bal De Kier, Puricelli, Lydia Inés, Pallotta, María Guadalupe
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Astrocytoma - genetics; Astrocytoma - metabolism; Astrocytoma - mortality; bcl-2; Brain Neoplasms - genetics; Brain Neoplasms - metabolism; Brain Neoplasms - mortality; EGF-R; Female; Gene Expression; Glioma - genetics; Glioma - metabolism; Humans; invasion; Male; malignant glioma; Middle Aged; PDGF-R; Predictive Value of Tests; Prognosis; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 - biosynthesis; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 - genetics; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor - biosynthesis; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor - genetics; Receptors, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor - biosynthesis; Receptors, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor - genetics; Retrospective Studies; Survival Analysis; tumor marker
• ISSN: 0022-4790; 1096-9098
• DOI: 10.1002/jso.20036

Background and Objectives Therapy of malignant glioma tumors is based on histology and clinical factors. However, comparable lesions may correspond with important prognostic differences. Our purpose was to analyze retrospectively the prognostic input of platelet‐derived growth factor receptor (PDGF‐R), epidermal growth factor (EGF‐R), and bcl‐2 expression in 103 malignant gliomas from uniformly treated patients. Methods The expression of the antigens was analyzed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Prognostic evaluation was performed with the multivariate proportional hazards model. The follow‐up period lasted 19 (5–122) months for survivors. Results We observed that almost 50% of gliomas showed high expression of PDGF‐R, while a lower expression of EGF‐R and bcl‐2 was found. No association between the main prognostic factors in malignant glioma (sex, age, histological grade, and Karnofsky score) and the labeling index (LI) of these antigens was observed. We found that only PDGF‐R and EGF‐R overexpression were associated with a shorter survival in patients with World Health Organization (WHO) II astrocytomas, being bothassociations independent of known prognostic factors, as shown by Cox model. Besides, we confirmed other authors' results that high histological grade and low performance score were associated with worse prognosis. Conclusions PDGF‐R and EGF‐R expression could be relevant in determining the prognosis of low‐grade astrocytomas (LGAs) and in providing a more objective mechanism for their classification. J. Surg. Oncol. 2004;86:34–40. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.