Prognostic significance of epidermal growth factor receptor in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Summary Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) content was determined by a radioligand receptor assay in 140 primary laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas (median value of 8.4 fmol mg-1 protein, range 0-169.9 fmol mg-protein). Cox univariate regression analysis using EGFR as a continuous variable showed that EGFR levels are directly associated with the risk of death (X2 = 14.56, P-value = 0.0001) and relapse (x2 = 7.77, P-value = 0.0053). A significant relationship between EGFR status and survival was observed at the different arbitrary cut-off values chosen (8, 16 and 20 fmol mg-1 protein). The cut-off value of 20 fmol mg-' protein was the best prognostic discriminator. In fact, the 5 year survival was 81% for patients with EGFRtumours compared with 25% for patients with EGFR+ tumours (P<0.0001). The 5 year relapse-free survival was 77% for patients with EGFR-tumours compared with 24% for patients with EGFR+ tumours (P <0.010). When clinicopathological parameters and EGFR status were examined in the multivariate analysis, T classification and EGFR status retained an independent prognostic value. In this study we demonstrated that high EGFR levels single out patients with poor prognosis in laryngeal cancer.

Sequence-dependent effects of ZD1839 (‘Iressa’) in combination with cytotoxic treatment in human head and neck cancer

“…Over the past decade, comprehensive data have been accumulated that strongly support a role for EGFR and its ligands in tumour development and growth. This is particularly true for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, where EGFR is considered to be one of the major prognostic factors (Santini et al, 1991;Dassonville et al, 1993;Salomon et al, 1995;Grandis et al, 1996Grandis et al, , 1998Maurizi et al, 1996). As a result, EGFR has become an attractive target for novel anticancer therapies, particularly in HNC.…”

ZD1839 (‘Iressa’), a specific oral epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor, potentiates radiotherapy in a human colorectal cancer xenograft model

“…This view has evolved through studies correlating EGFR expression with disease progression in multiple tumour types (Sainsbury et al, 1987;Salomon et al, 1995;Maurizi et al, 1996;Dong et al, 1998) and evidence that EGFR-inhibition can influence a diverse range of pathways, including those involved in proliferation, reduced apoptosis, angiogenesis and invasion (Woodburn, 1999). Approaches to inhibit EGFR activation include the development Experimental Therapeutics Localised radiotherapy was administered to tumours of size 220 -280 mm 3 with five allocated per treatment group.…”

A genetic view of laryngeal cancer heterogeneity

“…52 In up to 90% of SCCHN, increased expression of EGFR is observed which is associated with advanced stage, poor survival and resistance to treatments. 53,54 Similarly, EGFR overexpression in laryngeal carcinoma has also been linked to poor survival 55 and also as a predictive biomarker for radiotherapy treatment. 56 In a phase III trial comparing cisplatin with or without the monoclonal antibody cetuximab for metastatic/ recurrent SCCHN patients, it was seen that doses of cetuximab may need to be adjusted for patients with very high levels of EGFR to achieve better response.…”