Immunohistochemical expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in oral squamous cell carcinoma in relation to proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis.
OBJECTIVE
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is by far the most common malignant neoplasm of the oral cavity. A number of etiologic factors have been implicated in its development. During the past few decades, a particular focus has been placed on the investigation of valid biomarkers predictive of cancer behavior and cervical lymph node metastasis in head and neck Squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).The present study was designed to investigate the expression of epidermal growth factor in these tumors in relation to proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis.


METHODS
Immunohistochemical (IHC) evaluation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression in 40 retrospective OSCC specimens and its correlation with proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), antiapoptotic antibody (P53), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and D2-40 monoclonal antibodies (Mab), in relation to the clinicopathological parameters.


RESULTS
Data revealed positive EGFR immunoreactivity in 35(87.5%) cases. There was a statistically significant correlation regarding EGFR extent score with respect to intratumoral lymphatic vessel density (ILVD) (r = 0.35) as well as EGFR intensity score with respect to ILVD and peritumoral lymphatic vessel density (PLVD) (r = 0.33, r = 0.36 respectively). EGFR expression was not correlated with the clinicopathological parameters.


CONCLUSIONS
EGFR is expressed by most of the cases. EGFR correlation with D2- 40 positive lymphatic vessels suggests a higher tendency of OSCC for lymphatic dissemination. Lack of correlation among the studied markers suggests their independent effect on tumor behavior.
Sarkis
Seta A
SA
Department of Oral Pathology and Medicine, College of Dentistry, University of Sulaimani, Iraq.
Abdullah
Bashar H
BH
Abdul Majeed
Ban A
BA
Talabani
Nazar G
NG
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000098:blood supply / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology*; D048708:Cell Growth Processes / Q000502:physiology; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D042583:Lymphangiogenesis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology*; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
D066246:ErbB Receptors