Frequent EGFR Positivity and Overexpression in High-Grade Areas of Human MPNSTs.
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours (MPNSTs) are highly malignant and resistant. Transformation might implicate up regulation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Fifty-two MPNST samples were studied for EGFR, Ki-67, p53, and survivin expression by immunohistochemistry and for EGFR amplification by in situ hybridization. Results were correlated with clinical data. EGFR RNA was also quantified by RT-PCR in 20 other MPNSTs and 14 dermal neurofibromas. Half of the patients had a neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). EGFR expression, detected in 86% of MPNSTs, was more frequent in NF1 specimens and closely associated with high-grade and p53-positive areas. MPNSTs expressed more EGFR transcripts than neurofibromas. No amplification of EGFR locus was observed. NF1 status was the only prognostic factor in multivariate analysis, with median survivals of 18 and 43 months for patients with or without NF1. Finally, EGFR might become a new target for MPNSTs treatment, especially in NF1-associated MPNSTs.
Tabone-Eglinger
Séverine
S
INSERM U602, Hôpital Paul Brousse, 12 Avenue P. Vaillant Couturier, 94800 Villejuif, France.
Bahleda
Radislav
R
Côté
Jean-François
JF
Terrier
Philippe
P
Vidaud
Dominique
D
Cayre
Anne
A
Beauchet
Alain
A
Théou-Anton
Nathalie
N
Terrier-Lacombe
Marie-José
MJ
Lemoine
Antoinette
A
Penault-Llorca
Frédérique
F
Le Cesne
Axel
A
Emile
Jean-François
JF