EGFR Gene Amplification and Protein Expression in Invasive Ductal Carcinoma of the Breast.
- Author:
Won HWANGBO
1
;
Jeong Hyeon LEE
;
Sangjeong AHN
;
Seojin KIM
;
Kyong Hwa PARK
;
Chul Hwan KIM
;
Insun KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Pathology, Korea University Anam Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. iskim@korea.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Breast neoplasms;
Receptor, epidermal growth factor;
Gene amplification;
Protein expression
- MeSH:
Biomarkers;
Breast;
Breast Neoplasms;
Carcinoma, Ductal;
Disease-Free Survival;
Gene Amplification;
Genes, erbB-1;
Humans;
In Situ Hybridization;
Keratins;
Phenobarbital;
Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor
- From:Korean Journal of Pathology
2013;47(2):107-115
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a surrogate marker for basal-like breast cancer. A recent study suggested that EGFR may be used as a target for breast cancer treatment. METHODS: A total of 706 invasive ductal carcinomas (IDC) of the breast were immunophenotyped, and 82 cases with EGFR protein expression were studied for EGFR gene amplification. RESULTS: EGFR protein was expressed in 121 of 706 IDCs (17.1%); 5.9% were of luminal type, 25.3% of epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) type, and 79.3% of basal-like tumors. EGFR gene amplification and high polysomy (fluorescent in situ hybridization [FISH]-positive) were found in 18 of 82 cases (22.0%); 41.2% of the HER-2+, EGFR+, cytokeratin 5/6- (CK5/6-) group, 11.2% of the HER-2-, EGFR+, CK5/6- group, and 19.1% of the HER-2-, EGFR+, CK5/6+ group. FISH-positive cases were detected in 8.3% of the EGFR protein 1+ expression cases, 15.9% of 2+ expression cases, and 38.5% of 3+ expression cases. In group 2, the tumors had a high Ki-67 labeling (>60%), but the patients showed better disease-free survival than those with tumors that co-expressed HER-2 or CK5/6. CONCLUSIONS: EGFR-directed therapy can be considered in breast cancer patients with EGFR protein overexpression and gene amplification, and its therapeutic implication should be determined in HER-2 type breast cancer patients.
