title: Lack of the type III epidermal growth factor receptor mutation in colorectal cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) analysis by traditional immunohistochemistry does not provide clinicians with a reliable tool for the selection of patients to EGFR-targeted treatment in colorectal cancer (CRC). Alternative methods and further understanding of the EGFR signaling network are being investigated and mutations in the EGFR gene have been identified. The type III epidermal growth factor receptor, a tumour-specific, ligand independent, constitutively activated form of EGFR, might contribute to the malignant phenotype in CRC and may be a potential target for anticancer therapy. The aim of the present study was to investigate the presence of EGFRvIII in CRC by PCR and protein analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 79 colorectal cancer patients for PCR analysis and 50 patients for protein analysis by Western blots, in two different laboratories.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No type III mutations were detected in our material.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The EGFRvIII mutations are rare in colorectal adenocarcinomas and overall probability does not appear to contribute to the malignant phenotype of this disease.
authors.affiliation: Danish Colorectal Cancer Group South, University of Southern Denmark Vejle Hospital, Kabbeltoft 25, 7100 Vejle, Denmark. Kalgsp@vgs.vejleamt.dk
authors.forename: Karen-Lise Garm
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Spindler
authors.forename: Dorte Aalund
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Olsen
authors.forename: Jens Nederby
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Brandslund
authors.forename: Hans Skovgaard
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Poulsen
authors.forename: Mette
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Villingshøj
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jakobsen
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015153:Blotting, Western; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: C410723:epidermal growth factor receptor VIII; D066246:ErbB Receptors