Prognostic significance of epidermal growth factor receptor in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.
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-1 protein). Cox univariate regression analysis using EGFR as a continuous variable showed that EGFR levels are directly associated with the risk of death (chi 2 = 14.56, P-value = 0.0001) and relapse (chi 2 = 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-1 protein was the best prognostic discriminator. In fact, the 5 year survival was 81% for patients with EGFR- tumours 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.
Maurizi
M
M
Department of Otolaryngology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy.
Almadori
G
G
Ferrandina
G
G
Distefano
M
M
Romanini
M E
ME
Cadoni
G
G
Benedetti-Panici
P
P
Paludetti
G
G
Scambia
G
G
Mancuso
S
S
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000401:mortality / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011379:Prognosis; D016019:Survival Analysis
D066246:ErbB Receptors