Immunohistochemical expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in South Asian head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: association with various risk factors and clinico-pathologic and prognostic parameters

Abstract

BackgroundIn this study, we intend to determine the immunohistochemical expression of EGFR in cases of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and its association with prognostic clinico-pathologic features.MethodsA total of 115 cases of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma treated at Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, were included in the study. Clinico-pathologic features, risk factors, and recurrence status of cases were evaluated, and EGFR immunohistochemistry was performed.ResultsIn our study, 52 cases (45.2%) of head and neck SCC were positive and 10 cases (8.7%) were focal positive for EGFR expression, while 53 cases (46.1%) were negative for EGFR expression. High EGFR expression (> 70%) was noted in 6.1% (7 cases), while 12.2% (14 cases) and 26.1% (30 cases) revealed 51–70% and 11–50% EGFR expression respectively. On the basis of intensity, strong EGFR expression was noted in 13.9% (16 cases) while 16.5% (19 cases) and 23.5% (27 cases) revealed intermediate and weak EGFR expression respectively. Significant association of EGFR expression was noted with tumor stage and disease-free survival.ConclusionWe found a significant association of EGFR expression with tumor stage and disease-free survivals, which are the most important prognostic factors in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma; therefore, EGFR expression can help as a prognostic biomarker in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. On the other hand, we suggest that molecular studies should be performed in squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck in our setup to identify patients that can avail response from anti-EGFR therapy.

Prognostic utility of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression in prostatic acinar adenocarcinoma

“…Patients with low gleason scores (score 6 and 7) and lower grade group (1, 2 & 3) were less likely to have positive EGFR expression as compared to patients with high gleason score (score 9) and higher grade group (5). Similarly, patients with perineural invasion and disease recurrence were more likely to have positive EGFR expression (Table 3).…”

“…The major prognostic parameters of prostatic acinar adenocarcinoma include gleason score, percentage of tissue involvement by cancer (tumor quantification) and perineural invasion [2,3]. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a proto-oncogene which is overexpressed in many human cancers and serves as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target [4][5][6]. However, prognostic significance of EGFR immunohistochemical expression (IHC) has not been established in prostatic acinar adenocarcinoma, therefore we aimed to evaluate the frequency of expression of EGFR in prostatic adenocarcinoma and its association with other prognostic parameters.…”

mTOR Signalling in Head and Neck Cancer: Heads Up

“…However, in a recent study conducted by Khattri et al, it was established that EGFRvIII is rarely seen in HNSCC samples (2/540, 0.37%) and the clinical significance remains unclear [92]. Moreover, EGFR amplification (chromosome 7) has been reported in 11% of HNSCC cases [93,94]. Hashmi et al observed that EGFR copy number gain occurs in oral leukoplakia and is tightly linked with an increased risk of oral cancer development [94].…”

p16 Immunohistochemical Expression in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Association With Prognostic Parameters

“…Traditional risk factors of HNSCC are alcohol and tobacco. On the other hand, in South-Asian countries like India and Pakistan, areca nut chewing (pan/gutka) is considered a more significant risk factor in the causation of this disease [4,5]. However, a significant number of cases did not reveal exposure to these products.…”