title: Overexpression of ErbB4 is an independent marker for lymph node metastasis in Japanese patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Overexpression of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family is common in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Therefore, we analyzed the expression profiles of the four EGFR family members (ErbB1, ErbB2, ErbB3, and ErbB4) in OSCC of Japanese patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-eight primary tumors and 18 normal oral mucosal tissue specimens were evaluated in this study. We analyzed EGFR family members using quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry, as well as their relationships with clinical factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The expression level of ErbB1 messenger RNA (mRNA) was markedly increased in OSCC. By comparing the gene expression levels of EGFR family members in OSCC tissues that had lymph node metastasis with those in the absence of lymph node metastasis, we found that ErbB4 mRNA expression was increased significantly. There was also a significant correlation between the mRNA expression level of ErbB4 and those of ErbB2 and ErbB3 in cases with lymph node metastasis. Moreover, we confirmed protein expression of ErbB4 in the cytoplasm and membrane of tumor cells, which was stronger in cases with lymph node metastasis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ErbB4 is an independent marker for lymph node metastasis in OSCC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dental Medicine, Tsurumi University, Kanagawa, Japan; Department of Clinical Immunology, Clinical Research Center for Allergy and Rheumatology, Sagamihara National Hospital, National Hospital Organization, Kanagawa, Japan; Department of Dentistry and Oral Surgery, Japan Organaization of Occupational Health and Safety (JOHAS), Yokohama Rosai Hospital, Kanagawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshihiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ohashi
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dental Medicine, Tsurumi University, Kanagawa, Japan; Department of Clinical Immunology, Clinical Research Center for Allergy and Rheumatology, Sagamihara National Hospital, National Hospital Organization, Kanagawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Kenichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kumagai
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Toshiba Rinkan Hospital, Kanagawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Yukinaga
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Miyata
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dental Medicine, Tsurumi University, Kanagawa, Japan; Department of Clinical Immunology, Clinical Research Center for Allergy and Rheumatology, Sagamihara National Hospital, National Hospital Organization, Kanagawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Ryota
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Matsubara
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Immunology, Clinical Research Center for Allergy and Rheumatology, Sagamihara National Hospital, National Hospital Organization, Kanagawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Kazutaka
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kitaura
authors.affiliation: Section of Biological Science Research Center for Odontology, Nippon Dental University School of Dentistry, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Satsuki
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dental Medicine, Tsurumi University, Kanagawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshiki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hamada
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Immunology, Clinical Research Center for Allergy and Rheumatology, Sagamihara National Hospital, National Hospital Organization, Kanagawa, Japan. Electronic address: R-suzuki@sagamihara-hosp.gr.jp.
authors.forename: Ryuji
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Suzuki
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D001706:Biopsy; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007564:Japan; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D066247:Receptor, ErbB-4 / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C587689:ERBB4 protein, human; D066247:Receptor, ErbB-4