Expressions of epidermal growth factor receptor in primary nasopharygeal carcinoma and lymph node metastases.
- Author:
Ying HUANG
1
;
Tai-xiang LU
;
Jie-hua HE
;
Rong-zhen LUO
;
Tong-yu LIN
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Child; Female; Humans; Lymph Nodes; metabolism; Lymphatic Metastasis; Male; Middle Aged; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms; metabolism; pathology; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor; metabolism; Young Adult
- From: Journal of Southern Medical University 2009;29(5):949-951
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVETo investigate the expressions of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in primary nasopharygeal carcinoma (NPC) and lymph node metastases.
METHODSArchived samples of primary NPC and paired lymph node metastases from 86 patients were examined immunohistochemically for the protein expression of EGFR.
RESULTSEGFR expression positivity was detected in the primary NPC and lymph node metastases at the rate of 73.3% and 60.5%, respectively, and primary and metastatic foci showed significant difference in the expression levels (P=0.001). A discrepancy of EGFR expression between the primary and metastatic foci was found in 25 patients, with a discrepancy rate of 29.1% (25/86).
CONCLUSIONThe difference in EGFR expression between the primary and lymph node metastastic foci of NPC needs to be evaluated when performing EGFR-targeted therapies especially in advanced NPC cases.