Expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor in astrocytic tumours is specifically associated with glioblastoma multiforme |
| |
Authors: | Reto M. Agosti Margrit Leuthold William J. Gullick M. Gazi Yasargil Otmar D. Wiestler |
| |
Affiliation: | (1) Institute of Neuropathology, Department of Pathology, University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland;(2) Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland;(3) Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland;(4) Protein Chemistry Laboratory, Imperial Cancer Research Fund Laboratories, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, UK;(5) Present address: Institute of Neuropathology, University of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25, W-5300 Bonn 1, Federal Republic of Germany |
| |
Abstract: | Summary Epidermal growth factor and its receptor (EGFR) constitute an important and well-characterized mitogenic system in various ectodermal tissues including glial cells. Over-expression of the EGFR due to gene amplification has been reported in primary brain tumours of glial origin. Using a monoclonal antibody to the EGFR and immunohistochemical analysis, we examined the expression and distribution of EGFR in 103 astrocytic tumours. In addition, selected tumours were studied by Western blotting using a polyclonal antibody to EGFR and by Southern blot analysis. Glioblastomas (WHO grade IV) showed EGFR expression in 37% of cases, whereas pilocytic (WHO grade I), low-grade (WHO grade II) or anaplastic astrocytoma (WHO grade III) were invariably EGFR negative. Generally, there was a close correlation between the presence of EGFR gene amplification and over-expression of receptor protein. Different patterns of immunoreactive cells and significant intratumour heterogeneity of EGFR expression were observed in glioblastomas. The specific association of EGFR over-expression with glioblastoma may provide a useful diagnostic tool for distinguishing anaplastic astrocytoma (WHO grade III) and glioblastoma multiforme (WHO grade IV). |
| |
Keywords: | Astrocytoma Glioblastoma multiforme Oncogenes Epidermal growth factor receptor Immunohistochemistry |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|