Endometrial stromal sarcomas frequently express epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR, HER-1): potential basis for a new therapeutic approach.
Endometrial stromal sarcomas are rare malignant mesenchymal uterine tumors. The expressions of different epidermal growth factor receptors such as EGFR (HER-1), HER-2, HER-3, and HER-4 have not yet been examined in these tumors. Twenty-three cases of endometrial sarcomas consisting of 20 low-grade endometrial stromal sarcomas and 3 undifferentiated endometrial sarcomas were examined immunohistochemically for EGFR (HER-1), HER-2, HER-3, and HER-4. EGFR (HER-1) was positive in 17 of 23 (74%) cases. While the three undifferentiated endometrial sarcomas were positive for EGFR, 14 of 20 (70%) low-grade endometrial stromal sarcomas showed positive reactions for EGFR. All examined cases were negative for HER-2, HER-3, and HER-4. This study is the first to show common expression of EGFR (HER-1) in endometrial stromal sarcomas. This finding may provide the basis for a new therapeutic strategy using monoclonal antibodies against EGFR (such as cetuximab) or small molecule inhibitors of EGFR (such as gefitinib) in patients with endometrial sarcomas.
Moinfar
Farid
F
Institute of Pathology, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria. farid.moinfar@meduni-graz.at
Gogg-Kamerer
Margit
M
Sommersacher
Andrea
A
Regitnig
Peter
P
Man
Yan Gao
YG
Zatloukal
Kurt
K
Denk
Helmut
H
Tavassoli
Fattaneh A
FA
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018203:Sarcoma, Endometrial Stromal / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D066246:ErbB Receptors