title: EGFR protein expression and gene amplification in squamous intraepithelial lesions and squamous cell carcinomas of the cervix.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the protein expression and gene amplification of epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) in intraepithelial neoplasias and squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix and to determine the value of EGFR in carcinogenesis, progression, and prognosis of cervical cancer. EGFR protein expression and gene amplification involved gene copy number in 75 cases of cervical various lesions were evaluated using immunohistochemistry and by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) techniques. Expression of EGFR was observed in 76.00% of the high-grade CIN and 79.17% of the invasive carcinomas. In contrast, there were low levels of EGFR expression in chronic cervicitis (1/10) and low-grade CIN (7/16). There were statistically significant differences among them (P<0.05). Gene amplification was detected in 20.51% high-grade CIN and invasive carcinoma, but there only 4.35% EGFR gene amplification was observed in chronic cervicitis and low grade CIN. Among the 42 patients with negative or low levels of EGFR expression, 26 patients (61.90%) were found to have diploidy and 11 patients (26.20%) to have balanced triploidy. However, among the 20 patients with an intermediate and high levels of EGFR protein expression, 13 (65.00%) were found to have balanced polyploidy or gene amplification. All cases of EGFR gene amplification involved intermediate and high levels of protein expression. EGFR may be involved in the carcinogenesis of the cervix and may be an early event during the carcinogenesis. Overexpression of EGFR protein may result from gene amplification and increases in gene copy number.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Clinical School of Medical College of Nanjing University, Nanjing Jinling Hospital Nanjing, China ; Department of Pathology, Nanjing Maternity and Children Health Care Hospital Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: Qing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Nanjing Maternity and Children Health Care Hospital Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: Yongfeng
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Nanjing Maternity and Children Health Care Hospital Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: Xue
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Nanjing Maternity and Children Health Care Hospital Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ji
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Nanjing Maternity and Children Health Care Hospital Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: Jingmin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Clinical School of Medical College of Nanjing University, Nanjing Jinling Hospital Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: Xiaojun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhou
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005784:Gene Amplification; D018628:Gene Dosage; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D008875:Middle Aged; D060787:Neoplasm Grading; D010641:Phenotype; D011003:Ploidies; D015854:Up-Regulation; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C512478:EGFR protein, human; D066246:ErbB Receptors
keywords: Cervix neoplasms; EGFR; FISH; gene amplification; gene copy number; protein expression