[Expressions of epidermal growth factor receptor in primary nasopharygeal carcinoma and lymph node metastases].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expressions of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in primary nasopharygeal carcinoma (NPC) and lymph node metastases.


METHODS
Archived samples of primary NPC and paired lymph node metastases from 86 patients were examined immunohistochemically for the protein expression of EGFR.


RESULTS
EGFR expression positivity was detected in the primary NPC and lymph node metastases at the rate of 73.3% and 60.5%, respectively, and primary and metastatic foci showed significant difference in the expression levels (P=0.001). A discrepancy of EGFR expression between the primary and metastatic foci was found in 25 patients, with a discrepancy rate of 29.1% (25/86).


CONCLUSIONS
The difference in EGFR expression between the primary and lymph node metastastic foci of NPC needs to be evaluated when performing EGFR-targeted therapies especially in advanced NPC cases.
Huang
Ying
Y
State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Department of Radiation Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China. chenwei1001@126.com
Lu
Tai-xiang
TX
He
Jie-hua
JH
Luo
Rong-zhen
RZ
Lin
Tong-yu
TY
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000378:metabolism*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult
C512478:EGFR protein, human; D066246:ErbB Receptors