Transforming growth factor alpha and epidermal growth factor in human pancreatic cancer.

Overexpression of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been reported as an important molecular abnormality in human pancreatic cancer. There is in vitro evidence that simultaneous overproduction of one of its ligands, transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha), might result in an autocrine loop with an increased proliferation signal. We analysed by immunocytochemical staining a retrospective series of human pancreatic cancers, chronic pancreatitis, and normal fetal and adult pancreatic tissues for the presence of TGF-alpha and epidermal growth factor (EGF). Ductal epithelial cells showed TGF-alpha immunoreactivity in both normal tissue and chronic pancreatitis, and 95 per cent of tumours showed strong immunoreactivity. In contrast, EGF immunoreactivity was not found in normal pancreas, but was expressed in 12 per cent of pancreatic carcinomas. Well-defined areas of EGF immunoreactivity in exocrine ducts showing reactive changes in pancreatitis might represent a benign response to tissue damage similar to that previously described in the gastric mucosa.     

Immunohistochemical detection of the epidermal growth factor receptor in paraffin-embedded human tissues.

Expression of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumour tissues employing two antibodies raised to short synthetic peptides from the cytoplasmic domain of the molecule. Both antibodies gave concordant staining of a series of bladder cancers known to express or lack EGF receptors. There was no cross-reaction with the related c-erbB-2 protein, which was also over-expressed in some cases. Cancers with EGF receptor expression also expressed high levels of TGF-alpha, a receptor agonist.     

Oestrogen receptor and epidermal growth factor receptor expression in male breast carcinoma.

Male breast carcinomas are probably hormone-dependent, but receptor studies are few because this is a relatively rare tumour. We have studied 21 cases of male breast carcinoma immunohistochemically for oestrogen receptor (ER) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression employing the antibodies ER-ICA and 12E on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded material. In our series, 86 per cent of male breast cancers were ER-positive and 76 per cent were EGFR-positive. Male breast carcinomas do not exhibit the inverse correlation between ER and EGFR expression that characterizes female breast carcinomas. Owing to the limitations of a small series, we were unable to comment on the relationship between ER and EGFR expression and patient survival. However, the relatively high incidence of ER expression may provide a growth advantage for this tumour in a male environment characterized by low levels of oestrogen. In addition, high EGFR expression may also contribute to a poor prognosis independent of ER status.     

表皮生长因子受体和环氧合酶-2在宫颈癌中的表达及临床诊断意义

目的 探讨宫颈癌组织中表皮生长因子受体(epidermal growth factor receptor,EGFR)和环氧合酶2(cyclooxygenase,COX-2)蛋白的表达及其与临床病理特征的关系.方法 采用免疫组化的方法分别检测正常宫颈、宫颈癌中EGFR和COX-2蛋白的表达.结果 EGFR和COX-2蛋白的在宫颈癌组织中的阳性表达率,均显著高于正常宫颈组织.EGFR和COX-2的阳性表达均与患者的年龄及肿瘤大小无关(P＞0.05).多元生存分析显示,EGFR和COX-2是独立的预后因子,相对危险度分别为2.52(P=0.004)和1.88(P=0.039).结论 EGFR和COX-2在宫颈组织中的表达水平可能与肿瘤的发生、发展、浸润和转移密切相关,可作为宫颈癌恶性程度判断和预后的重要指标.     

干扰表皮生长因子受体磷酸化过程对乳腺癌的抑制效应

目的 探讨干扰表皮生长因子受体(EGFR)的磷酸化过程对裸鼠乳腺癌移植瘤生长的影响及其作用机制.方法 建立裸鼠乳腺癌移植瘤模型,成型后随机分为Ad5-hSulf1组、Ad5-EGFP组和对照组,干预治疗后,测量计算移植瘤生长率,采用免疫组化法检测各组裸鼠移植瘤hSulf-1、EGFR和p-EGFR阳性表达,采用Western blot法检测各组裸鼠移植瘤hSulf-1、EGFR和p-EGFR蛋白表达.结果 Ad5-hSulf1组裸鼠注射治疗后第14天、21天和28天的肿瘤生长率[(165.9±23.8)％,(172.6±25.9)％,(377.3±30.5)％]明显小于同期的对照组,差异均具有统计学意义(t=12.153,21.247,14.587;P =0.000).Ad5-hSulf1组裸鼠移植瘤p-EGFR阳性表达率(46.7％)和蛋白表达[(52.7±7.4)％]明显低于Ad5-EGFR组和对照组,差异均有统计学意义(x2=8.146,t=7.384,7.587;P =0.004、0.000、0.000).结论 使用hSulf1基因抑制乳腺癌细胞的EGFR磷酸化过程,可产生明显的肿瘤抑制效应,对寻求肿瘤基因治疗的一个很有潜力的靶点具有很好的借鉴参考意义.     

Nuclear translocation of fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 and its significance in pancreatic cancer

Nuclear translocation of fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) was previously observed in some kinds of cancer. However, whether the phenomenon occurs in pancreatic cancer (PC), a malignancy with very dismal prognosis, remains unknown. In the present study, FGFR3 expression was firstly detected by Western blot and immunohistochemical staining in specimens of PC. Then, its correlations with clinicopathologic features and patient survival were evaluated. It was shown that FGFR3 was highly expressed in all the nuclear extracts, but in only one out of four whole tissue lysates, of tumor tissues, in contrast to those of non-tumor ones. Using immunohistochemistry, nuclear expression of FGFR3 was found to mainly locate in tumor cells, and was significantly associated with N stage. Furthermore, high FGFR3 nuclear expression was revealed to be associated with poor overall and disease-free survival in univariate analysis. For overall survival in the whole cohort and disease-free survival in patients with curative resection, high nuclear expression of FGFR3 was significant or marginally significant in multivariate analysis. However, its cytoplasmic expression was not related to clinical, pathologic variables and prognosis. These data suggest that nuclear translocation of FGFR3 is frequent and carries clinicopathologic as well as prognostic significances in PC.     

158例肺癌表皮生长因子受体检测及其意义探讨

目的；探讨表皮生长因子受体（ＥＧＦＲ）在肺癌中的表达特征及其临床病理意义。方法：应用ＡＢＣ免疫组织化学法对１５８例肺癌组织进行ＥＧＦＲ检测。结果：非小细胞肺 ＥＧＦＲ阳性率为８０．６％，而小细胞肺癌的ＥＧＦＲ均为阴性，并发现非小细胞肺癌ＥＧＦＲ表达与癌的组织学类型、分化程度、生物行为、肿块大小和临床分期均无相关性。结论：检测肺癌的ＥＧＦＲ有助于鉴别小细胞肺癌和非小细胞肺癌，并认为关于ＥＧＦＲ可能是     

神经生长因子与胰腺癌的临床研究进展

神经生长因子对神经细胞生长及分化起重要作用,近年来的研究表明神经生长因子在胰腺癌中的表达与胰腺癌疼痛、嗜神经生长有密切关系,并可能有预后提示作用。本文综述了神经生长因子在胰腺癌的临床研究进展。     

Expression of epidermal growth factor and its receptor in rabbits with ischaemic acute renal failure

Urinary immunoreactive epidermal growth factor (EGF) levels decrease, and renal immunoreactive EGF levels increase in rats with ischaemic acute renal failure (ARF). We investigated the immunohistochemical localization of EGF and EGF receptor in rabbits with ischaemic ARF to clarify the significance of renal EGF. Male New Zealand White rabbits underwent right nephrectomy prior to a 60 min renal artery clamp. At 3, 6, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after ischaemia, serum urea nitrogen and serum creatinine were determined. Guinea pig anti-rabbit EGF antibody and monoclonal anti-EGF receptor antibody were used for the primary incubation. EGF was immunolocalized to the ascending limb of Henle and the distal convoluted tubule in the normal right kidneys. However, in the post ischaemic left kidneys at 6, 24, 48 and 72 h, immunoreactivity of EGF was associated with proximal tubules. In the normal kidneys, antibody to EGF receptor reacted with distal tubules and collecting ducts. In the ischaemic kidneys, EGF receptor was localized in the basolateral membrane in the proximal tubules. The expression of EGF and EGF receptor in renal tubules may play an important role in repair following ischaemic renal damage.     

表皮生长因子受体与胃癌的研究进展

胃癌的发生与发展机制十分复杂,涉及多种细胞病理改变。表皮生长因子受体(epidermal growth factor receptor,EGFR)及其参与的信号转导通路在胃癌的发生发展中起着重要的作用。近年来,发现多数肿瘤对放化疗存在的耐药性,因此在肿瘤的基因水平寻找诊断指标以及靶向治疗,已经成为近年来研究热点之一。本文综述表皮生长因子与胃癌的研究进展。     

表皮生长因子受体和P53与食管鳞状细胞癌放疗敏感性的关系

目的 分析食管鳞状细胞癌患者标本中表皮生长因子受体(EGFR)和P53表达水平与其临床病理特征的相关性,探讨术前放疗对EGFR和P53表达的影响,为临床食管鳞状细胞癌手术联合放疗的治疗策略提供理论依据.方法 采用免疫组织化学方法检测食管鳞状细胞癌患者标本中EGFR、P53蛋白的表达水平,分析其表达与食管鳞状细胞癌临床病理参数的关系,对比术前放疗对患者癌组织中EGFR和P53表达水平的影响.结果 与正常食管黏膜上皮组织相比,食管鳞状细胞癌组织中EGFR和P53的表达水平均显著升高;食管鳞状细胞癌组织中EGFR和P53的表达均与其组织学分级、浸润程度、有无区域淋巴结转移呈正相关;术前放射治疗可显著降低食管鳞状细胞癌组织中EGFR和P53的表达水平.结论 在食管鳞状细胞癌中,EGFR和P53的表达水平与其临床病理特征有密切关系,且呈正相关,检测两种蛋白的表达水平对食管鳞状细胞癌的恶性程度及预后判断具有重要的临床意义.     

The erbB-3 gene in human pancreatic cancer.

Abnormalities of the type 1 growth factor receptor family have been implicated in the pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer. There is evidence for a potential autocrine loop involving overexpression of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor and its ligands, as well as overexpression of the erbB-2 receptor. A third member of this receptor family, erbB-3, has recently been recognized and found to be abnormally expressed in some types of human cancer. In this study we show that overexpression of the erbB-3 protein occurs very frequently in carcinoma of the exocrine pancreas and also in chronic pancreatitis. We found no evidence of amplification or rearrangement of the erbB-3 gene by Southern blot analysis of DNA from pancreatic cancer cells lines.     

High epidermal growth factor receptor amplification rate but low mutation frequency in Middle East lung cancer population

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 18-21 mutations were shown to be highly predictive of response to gefitinib (Iressa) therapy in lung cancer. Studies on Western and Japanese lung cancers have indicated substantial differences in the EGFR mutation frequency between these populations. To investigate the prevalence of EGFR in another distinct ethnic group, EGFR alterations were studied in 47 consecutive non small cell lung cancers from Saudi Arabia by immunohistochemistry, fluorescence in situ hybridization, and DNA sequencing. Detectable EGFR expression was seen in 69.8% of 43 interpretable cancers. Epidermal growth factor receptor amplification, present in 15.3% of 39 analyzable cancers, was strongly associated with high levels of EGFR expression (P = .0047). Only 1 exon 18-21 mutation was seen among 34 lung cancers that could be successfully sequenced. It is concluded that EGFR exon 18-21 mutations are rare in Middle East patients with lung cancer and occur in a similar range as in Western patients. The remarkable high rate of EGFR gene amplifications could potentially facilitate studies on the predictive role of gene copy number changes for response to anti-EGFR therapies in Middle East patient sets.     

Immunohistochemical detection of epidermal growth factor and epidermal growth factor receptor in the lingual mucosa of rats during the morphogenesis of filiform papillae

We examined the immunofluorescence labelling epidermal growth factor (EGF) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), as well as differential interference contrast (DIC) images, during the morphogenesis of filiform papillae and the keratinization of the lingual epithelium of rats on semi-ultrathin sections of epoxy resin-embedded samples using laser-scanning microscopy. We also examined semi-ultrathin sections of epoxy resin-embedded, toluidine blue-stained samples by light microscopy to obtain details of cell histology and morphology. No immunoreactivity specific for EGF and EGFR was detected on the lingual epithelium of fetuses on days 12 and 16 after conception (E12 and E16), during which time the number of layers of cuboidal cells in the lingual epithelium increased from one to several. Immunoreactivity specific for EGF and EGFR was first detected on the lingual epithelium of fetuses at birth or on postnatal day 0 (P0). Immunoreactivity specific both for EGF and EGFR appeared in the connective tissue and the basal cells of the papillary and interpapillary cell columns. The lingual epithelium was composed of stratified squamous cells. The rudiments of filiform papillae were compactly arranged and interpapillary cell columns were very narrow. Immunoreactivity specific for EGF and EGFR was distinct on the cell membrane of basal cells of the papillary cell column and weakly positive on the cell membrane of basal cells of the interpapillary cell column on postnatal day 21 (P21). Thus, the patterns of immunoreactivity of EGF and EGFR differed as the filiform papillae developed. Filiform papillae developed gradually from P0 to P21. The width of interpapillary spaces also increased during this period. These observations indicate a possibility that EGF might affect the expression of keratins in the lingual epithelium via epithelium-mesenchymal interactions.     

About a case of GIST occurring during pregnancy with immunohistochemical expression of epidermal growth factor receptor and progesterone receptor

The coexistence of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) and pregnancy is very rare. We are the first to add to the literature a case report of GIST occurring during pregnancy with immunohistochemical staining for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and progesterone receptor (PgR). A role of PgR and EGFR in tumor growth should not be excluded, and these findings indicate that the expression of these receptors could provide pertinent biological information required to determine adequate therapeutic regimens. In conclusion, considering that GIST occurring during pregnancy is a rare event, with frequent delay in diagnosis, it is important to consider this diagnosis for early recognition, correct diagnosis, and a better outcome.     

Pathological significance of epidermal growth factor receptor expression and amplification in human gliomas

Zhao L‐l, Xu K‐l, Wang S‐w, Hu B‐l & Chen L‐r
(2012) Histopathology  61, 726–736 Pathological significance of epidermal growth factor receptor expression and amplification in human gliomas Aims: To investigate epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression and amplification in gliomas and to assess their association with survival. Methods and results: Immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in‐situ hybridization were performed to analyse EGFR status in 158 cases of primary glioma. Kaplan–Meier survival and Cox regression analyses were performed to analyse the prognosis of patients. Overexpression of EGFR and expression of EGFR variant III (EGFRvIII) were found in 102 cases (64.6%) and 47 cases (29.7%), respectively. Overexpression of EGFR was significantly correlated with World Health Organization (WHO) grade and Karnofsky performance score (KPS) (both P < 0.05). Expression of EGFRvIII was significantly correlated with WHO grade, gender, age, and KPS (all P < 0.05). EGFR amplification was found in 46 cases (29.1%), and was significantly correlated with WHO grade, age, KPS and EGFR overexpression (all P < 0.05). Cox multifactor analysis showed that EGFR amplification was an independent unfavourable prognostic factor for human gliomas at all ages, and EGFRvIII was an independent prognostic factor in patients older than 60 years. Conclusions: EGFR amplification and EGFRvIII expression were associated with an unfavourable prognosis for patients of all ages, and for those older than 60 years, respectively. The differing significance of EGFR status in young and old glioma patients and its impact on prognosis needs further study.     

Targeting human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 by a cell-penetrating peptide-affibody bioconjugate

Cell-penetrating peptide (CPP)-based delivery systems represent a strategy that facilitates DNA import efficiently and non-specifically into cells. To introduce specificity, we devised an approach that combines a cell-penetrating peptide, TAT-Mu (TM) and a targeting ligand, an HER2 antibody mimetic-affibody (AF), designated as TMAF to deliver nucleic acids into the cells. In this study, we synthesized TMAF protein and its truncated versions, i.e. MAF and AF, by expressing the corresponding plasmids in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3)pLysS cells. Purified TMAF binds DNA efficiently and protects plasmid DNA from DNaseI action. Transfection of HER2+ breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-453, SK-OV-3, SK-BR-3 and an ovarian cancer cell line with plasmid DNA pCMVβ-gal, resulted in enhanced β-galactosidase activity when compared to control MDA-MB-231 cells. Maximal activity observed in MDA-MB-453 cells at DNA:TMAF:Protamine sulphate (PS) corresponding to 1:8:2 charge ratios. Further the observed gene transfection was resistant to serum, sensitive to the presence of free AF and non-toxic. Variants of TMAF although non-toxic, were far less efficient indicating the effective role of the TAT and Mu domains. The observed DNA uptake and reporter gene activity mediated by TMAFin vitro could be linked with the cell-surface density of tyrosine kinase receptor HER2 (ErbB2) levels estimated by Western blot. Further, we confirmed the efficacy of DNA transfer by TMAF protein in xenograft mouse models using MDA-MB-453 cells. Expression of β-galactosidase as the reporter gene, upon intratumoral injection of DNA, in complex with TMAF, lends credence to specific DNA import and distribution within the tumor tissue that was attributed to high HER2 receptor overexpression in MDA-MB-453 cells. Through delivery of anti-TF hshRNA: TMAF: PS complex, we demonstrate specific knockdown of tissue factor (TF) in MDA-MB-453 cells in vitro. Most importantly, in a xenograft mouse model, we observe significant (P < 0.05) and specific reduction of tumor volume when anti-TF hshRNA: TMAF: PS complex was injected intratumorally. Collectively our data indicate that AF-based chimeric peptides with nucleic acid binding properties may provide an effective tumor specific strategy to deliver therapeutic nucleic acids.     

Increased binding capacity of receptors for the epidermal growth factor in benign thyroid nodules and thyroid malignancies

Summary To determine the role of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors in thyroid tumorigenesis, EGF binding was compared in membranes from malignant and from benign thyroid tumors. Surgical specimens were obtained from 28 patients with thyroid carcinomas (3 papillary, 13 follicular, 6 undifferentiated, and 6 medullary carcinomas) and from 30 patients with benign thyroid tumors (15 scintigraphically functional and 15 nonfunctional nodules). In 30 cases normal tissue adjacent to the tumor was also obtained. EGF binding was seen to be increased not only in thyroid carcinomas but also in benign thyroid tumors, particularly in functional thyroid adenomas. The highest EGF binding was found in undifferentiated carcinomas. A direct comparison of the EGF binding characteristics in tumor and adjacent normal thyroid tissue revealed that the increased binding of EGF is due mainly to an increase in the number of binding sites rather than an alteration in receptor affinities. EGF binding capacities were 18.4±16.7 fmol/mg protein in thyroid carcinomas and 10.5±5.2 fmol/mg in the corresponding normal tissue (P<0.05, K _d 0.84±0.26 nM, n=11). In autonomously functioning thyroid adenomas binding capacities were 14.2±8.2 fmol/mg in the nodules and 8.9±4.8 fmol/mg in normal tissue (P < 0.01, K _d 0.73±0.62 nM, n = 15). In conclusion, EGF receptor levels are increased not only in malignant thyroid tumors but also in well-differentiated benign thyroid nodules. The data indicate that an increased expression of EGF receptors, although likely to be important in the regulation of thyroid growth in vivo, is not by itself associated with malignant cell transformation and loss of differentiated function.Abbreviations EGF epidermal growth factor - EGFr epidermal growth factor receptor - TGF- transforming growth factor- Dedicated to Prof. Dr. G. Paumgartner on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

Tumor-associated macrophages,epidermal growth factor receptor correlated with the triple negative phenotype in endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinoma

It has been well established that tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play a tumor-promoting role in endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinoma (EEC). However, the association with TAMs and the triple-negative phenotype (TNP) in EEC has not yet been reported. We used immunohistochemistry to examine the expression of CD68, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in 186 cases of EEC. Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) was also used for HER2 amplification, and the association with TAMs count, EGFR expression, and triple-negative phenotype was analyzed. Twenty-eight of 186 patients (15.05%) had the TNP. It was associated with advanced stage disease (P < 0.0001), high grade disease (P < 0.0001), depth of myometrial invasion (P = 0.003), pelvic lymph node metastasis (P < 0.001), lymphovascular space invasion (P = 0.001), and EGFR expression (P = 0.032). Margin TAMs count was also significantly increased in the TNP-positive group, the EGFR-positive group, and the PR-negative group (P < 0.001, respectively). The TNP was associated with a significantly worse overall survival (OS) (log rank test, P = 0.018). The estimated 5-year OS of patients with TNP was 59.1%, while that without TNP was 78.5%. Multivariate analysis showed high margin TAMs, and the histopathological grades were significantly associated with OS. The TNP in EEC is associated with poor prognostic surgical–pathological factors, worse prognosis, as well as with high margin TAMs and overexpression of EGFR, which may serve as potential targeted therapies for the special phenotype in EEC.