title: Prognostic value of EGFR expression in de novo and progressed atypical and anaplastic meningiomas: an immunohistochemical and fluorescence in situ hybridization pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess both the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) protein expression by immunohistochemistry and the EGFR gene amplification by fluorescence in situ hybridization in meningiomas of different grade, in order to evaluate their possible role in the development of the disease. EGFR protein belongs to the family of tyrosine kinase growth factor receptors, which also includes HER2, HER3 and HER4. Elevated expression or activity of EGFR has been reported in several cancers, including brain tumours. EGFR activation can enhance the malignant potential of epithelial tissues.
  
  
  METHODS
  We investigated whether there was a difference in the EGFR protein expression and the EGFR gene amplification between the so called de novo malignant meningiomas and recurrent meningiomas with or without malignant progression from a previously lower grade tumor. Our goal was to evaluate if EGFR expression was a useful marker to select patients affected by meningioma with a major risk of recurrences. We also assessed the prognostic value of the EGFR expression on overall survival.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Progression from benign meningiomas to atypical or anaplastic meningiomas correlated with an increase in the expression of EGFR protein. Our study shows that EGFR immunostaining in meningiomas directly correlates to the tumor's grade. The EGFR expression did not correlate with the overall survival and the recurrence-free survival of the patients affected by meningioma (de novo, recurrent and progressed).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We submit that the EGFR expression is not a useful prognostic element to identify patients with a major risk of meningioma recurrence.
authors.affiliation: G.F. Ingrassia Department, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Caltabiano
authors.forename: G M V
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Barbagallo
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Castaing
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cassenti
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Senetta
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cassoni
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Albanese
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lanzafame
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D018450:Disease Progression; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D008579:Meningioma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011379:Prognosis; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C512478:EGFR protein, human; D066246:ErbB Receptors