EGFR protein overexpression and mutation in areca quid-associated oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma in Taiwan.
BACKGROUND
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeted therapy has been extensively assessed in human cancer treatment. We appraised the possible role of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in areca quid (AQ)-associated oral cavity squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs) by examining EGFR protein overexpression and its tyrosine kinase domain mutations.


METHODS
EGFR overexpression was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining, and tyrosine kinase mutations was determined by direct sequencing of DNAs from 172 OSCC tumors.


RESULTS
Overexpression of EGFR was found in 27.9% (48 of 172) of the OSCCs and was associated with lymph node metastasis (p = .013) and extracapsular spread (p = .022). Only 1 (0.58%) OSCC displayed somatic EGFR mutation but in a silent form (T725T, ACG-->ACA).


CONCLUSIONS
EGFR-targeted therapy might have some potential in AQ-associated OSCCs for their EGFR frequently overexpressed, although EGFR mutations were rare. However, the feasibility of TKIs in AQ-associated OSCCs needs further clinical testing.
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan.
Shiang-Fu
SF
Huang
Wen-Yu
WY
Chuang
I-How
IH
Chen
Chun-Ta
CT
Liao
Hung-Ming
HM
Wang
Ling-Ling
LL
Hsieh
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001114:Areca / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D009154:Mutation; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness / Q000235:genetics*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011336:Probability; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D015996:Survival Rate; D013624:Taiwan
D066246:ErbB Receptors