title: Expression of EGFR in Paired New and Recurrent Glioblastomas.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to analyse the expression of EGFR in newly diagnosed and recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (GBM).
  
  
  METHODS
  Our study included a total of 48 paired samples collected from 24 patients diagnosed with GBM. The intensity of EGFR cytoplasmatic staining was scored on a scale of 1-3+ (weak, intermediate or strong).
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found EGFR overexpression in 23 patients (96%) with newly diagnosed GBM, while all recurrent tumours overexpressed EGFR. Ten recurrent tumours (42%) had a lower expression than their new counterpart 13 tumours (54%) had a similar expression, and only one case (2%) had increased expression on recurrence. The expression of EGFR in newly diagnosed GBM was significantly correlated with EGFR expression in recurrent tumour (p = 0.036). In addition, new GBMs with strong EGFR expression had a mean relapse-free interval of 11.5 months (p=0.017). A benefit of combined therapy was observed in the radiotherapy-plus-chemotherapy group where the average time was 11 months (p=0.011), as compared with surgery/radiotherapy alone (average time 6.8 months).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present data show that EGFR is overexpressed in paired GBMs. The discrepancies of EGFR expression between the primary tumour and the recurrence suggest heterogeneity of GBMs but also unity at relapse.
authors: Department of Pathology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania E-mail : cioca_andre@yahoo.com.
authors: Andreea
authors: A
authors: Cioca
authors: Emilian Gheorghe
authors: EG
authors: Olteanu
authors: Monica Daniela
authors: MD
authors: Gisca
authors: Cezar Octavian
authors: CO
authors: Morosanu
authors: Irina
authors: I
authors: Marin
authors: Ioan Stefan
authors: IS
authors: Florian
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C512478:EGFR protein, human; D066246:ErbB Receptors