Expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor in conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the tyrosine kinase epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is expressed in squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva.


METHODS
A retrospective, observational case series of 5 patients with biopsy-proven conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma treated at one institution between January 1996 and April 2004. Medical records and tissue specimens from the 5 patients were reviewed. A control specimen of normal conjunctiva was also obtained from one of the 5 patients. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed using antibodies against EGFR.


RESULTS
Immunohistochemical staining showed that EGFR expression was moderate to strong in all tissue specimens, both in the normal mucosa and in the in situ and invasive components of the conjunctival squamous cell carcinomas.


CONCLUSIONS
An intense expression of EGFR occurs in squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva. Further study is needed to determine whether an EGFR inhibitor that targets this expression would have potential therapeutic benefit in treating squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva.
Section of Ophthalmology, Department of Plastic Surgery,The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030-4009, USA.
Todd R
TR
Shepler
Victor G
VG
Prieto
Roxana
R
Diba
Russell W
RW
Neuhaus
John W
JW
Shore
Bita
B
Esmaeli
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D001706:Biopsy; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D003230:Conjunctival Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D066246:ErbB Receptors