<p>Epidermal growth factor receptor (<em>EGFR</em>) gene alteration and protein overexpression in Malaysian triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cohort</p>

Abstract

BackgroundEpidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase receptor proteins that plays important roles in tumour cell survival and proliferation. EGFR has been reported to be overexpressed in up to 78% of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cases suggesting it as a potential therapeutic target. The clinical trials of anti-EGFR agents in breast cancer showed low response rates. However, a subgroup of patients demonstrated response to EGFR inhibitors highlighting the necessity to stratify patients, who might benefit from effective combination therapy that could include anti EGFR-agents. Population variability in EGFR expression warrants systematic evaluation in specific populations.PurposeTo study EGFR alterations and expressions in a multi ethnic Malaysian TNBC patient cohort to determine the possibility of using anti-EGFR combinatorial therapy for this population.Patients and methodsIn this study, we evaluated 58 cases of Malaysian TNBC patient samples for EGFR gene copy number alteration and EGFR protein overexpression using fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) methods, respectively.ResultsEGFR protein overexpression was observed in about 30% while 15.5% displayed high EGFR copy number including 5.17% gene amplification and over 10% high polysomy. There is a positive correlation between EGFR protein overexpression and gene copy number and over expression of EGFR is observed in ten out of the 48 low copy number cases (20.9%) without gene amplification.ConclusionThis study provides the first glimpse of EGFR alterations and expressions in a multi ethnic Malaysian TNBC patient cohort emphasising the need for the nationwide large scale EGFR expression evaluation in Malaysia.

Genetic Association of CYP1B1 4326 C>G Polymorphism with Disease-Free Survival in TNBC Patients Undergoing TAC Chemotherapy Regimen

“…In the present study, the mean age of TNBC patients at diagnosis ± (SD) was 48.9 ± 9.67 years. A recent study on Malaysian TNBC patients reported the range of age at diagnosis of Malaysian TNBC patients as from 26-89-years (Zakaria et al, 2019).…”

Targeted Liposomal Chemotherapies to Treat Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

“…The EGFR, which stimulates the cancer proliferation via PI3K/RAS signaling, the repair of DNA damage and metastasis [19][20][21][22][23], is overexpressed in various tumors, e.g., TNBC (52-54%) [24,25], lung cancer (40%) [26,27], glioblastoma (50%), head and neck cancer (80-90%) [24,25,28], ovarian, cervical, bladder, gastric, endometrial and colorectal cancers [29]. EGFR is more predominant in TNBCs than other breast cancers [24,30], and usually correlates with tumor invasion and poor prognosis.…”

A Study Protocol on Assessment of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Signalling Pathway as a Predictive Molecular Marker in Triple-Negative Invasive Ductal Carcinoma of Breast

“…Similarly the expression of ER and PR or all negative expression of breast cancer cells determines the treatment choices or deferment of few treatment protocols. This aspect of molecular subtype of breast cancer have been studied by the researchers but in isolation [14,15,16]. Recent years the pathologic staging of breast cancer has been upgraded by addition of molecular subtype.…”