title: EGFR in melanoma: clinical significance and potential therapeutic target.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The role of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been established in a range of neoplasms. In melanoma, data on EGFR protein expression are conflicting. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis for EGFR gene expression in melanoma showed EGFR gene amplification to be linked with worse prognosis. Cetuximab has been shown to suppress the formation of metastasis in mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  EGFR protein expression and gene copy number status were evaluated by means of immunohistochemistry and FISH in melanoma samples of patients with known clinicopathological data. Associations between EGFR expression and prognostic parameters were investigated. The effect of different cetuximab concentrations on the BLM melanoma cell line was evaluated by means of methyl tetrazolium (MTT), sulforhodamine B (SRB) and Matrigel invasion assays.
  
  
  RESULTS
  EGFR protein expression was more frequently observed in patients with a positive sentinel lymph node. However, EGFR immunostaining has no predictive value. The presence of EGFR polysomy was associated with thicker tumors. Treatment of the BLM melanoma cell line with different concentrations of cetuximab reduced the invasive capacity of the cells, but did not alter cell viability or growth.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EGFR appears to be involved in progression and metastasis of a subset of melanomas. Targeting EGFR could therefore represent a therapeutic option for these melanomas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Ghent, Ghent, Belgium. barbara.boone@ugent.be
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Boone
authors.forename: Koen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jacobs
authors.forename: Liesbeth
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ferdinande
authors.forename: Jasmien
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Taildeman
authors.forename: Jo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lambert
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Peeters
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bracke
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pauwels
authors.forename: Lieve
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Brochez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015153:Blotting, Western; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D018628:Gene Dosage; D015870:Gene Expression; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: C512478:EGFR protein, human; D066246:ErbB Receptors