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High predictive value of epidermal growth factor receptor phosphorylation but not of EGFRvIII mutation in resected stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

¹ Department of Internal Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, Austria
² Institute of Pathology, Medical University Innsbruck, Austria and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
³ Department of Surgery, Medical University Innsbruck, Austria

Correspondence to:
Dr W Hilbe
Division of General Internal Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstraße 35, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria; wolfgang.hilbe{at}uibk.ac.at Aims: Overexpression and mutation of epidermal growth factor regulator (EGFR) are frequently found in the carcinogenesis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Because targeting of this receptor has proven therapeutic efficacy, studying EGFR has become a matter of particular scientific interest. The present study analysed the EGFR receptor, rate of EGFRvIII mutations, and rate of activated phosphorylated EGFR (pEGFR) by immunohistochemistry on cryostat sections.

Methods: Surgically obtained tumour specimens of a series of 78 NSCLC patients and 66 adjacent tumour free specimens were examined immunohistochemically using monoclonal antibodies to stain EGFR, pEGFR, and EGFRvIII.

Results: EGFRvIII and pEGFR expression was found in 42% and 26% of the tumours respectively and both were increased significantly compared with tumour free samples. EGFR, pEGFR, and EGFRvIII expression did not correlate with any of the previously tested markers (c-erbB-2, c-erbB-3, p53, ki-67, and microvessel density). Similar distributions of immunohistochemical profiles were seen, regardless of histological subtype, age, or sex. In stage I patients, EGFR phosphorylation at tyrosine residue 845 proved to be an independent prognostic factor.

Conclusion: Because pEGFR correlated with poor prognosis, it can be speculated that it plays a crucial biological role in the pathogenesis of NSCLC.

Abbreviations: EGFR, epidermal growth factor regulator; MVD, microvessel density; NSCLC, non-small cell lung cancer; pEGFR, phosphorylated epidermal growth factor regulator; SCC, squamous cell carcinoma

Keywords: EGFR; EGFRvIII; phosphorylation; non-small cell lung cancer; prognosis