BACKGROUND: Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is one of the known oncogenes in urothelial carcinoma. However, the association between HER2 and the prognosis of upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UUTUC) has not yet been fully clarified. The aim of this study was to evaluate HER2 expression using the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) criteria and American Society of Clinical Oncology/College of American Pathologists (ASCO/CAP) criteria and compare their prognostic significance in UUTUC. METHODS: HER2 expression was evaluated in 144 cases of UUTUC by immunohistochemistry (IHC) using tissue microarrays. We separately analyzed HER2 expression using the FDA and ASCO/CAP criteria. The IHC results were categorized into low (0, 1+) and high (2+, 3+) groups. RESULTS: Using the FDA criteria, 94 cases were negative, 38 cases were 1+, nine cases were 2+, and three cases were 3+. Using the ASCO/CAP criteria, 94 cases were negative, 34 cases were 1+, 13 cases were 2+, and three cases were 3+. Four cases showing 2+ according to the ASCO/CAP criteria were reclassified as 1+ by the FDA criteria. High HER2 expression by both the FDA criteria and ASCO/CAP criteria was significantly associated with International Society of Urological Pathology high grade (p = .001 and p < .001). The high HER2 expression group classified with the FDA criteria showed significantly shorter cancer-specific survival (p = .004), but the HER2 high and low expression groups classified with the ASCO/CAP criteria did not show significant differences (p = .161) in cancer-specific survival. CONCLUSIONS: HER2 high expression groups were significantly associated with shorter cancer-specific survival, and our study revealed that the FDA criteria are more suitable for determining HER2 expression in UUTUC.
Humans ; Immunohistochemistry* ; Oncogenes ; Pathology ; Prognosis ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; United States Food and Drug Administration ; Urinary Tract*

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; therapy ; Drug Delivery Systems ; methods ; trends ; Genetic Therapy ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; therapy ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; administration & dosage

Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common malignant disease in Korea. Until recently, fluorouracil was the only effective chemotherapeutic agent for colorectal cancer. But during the past decades, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved four new drugs for advanced colorectal cancer. Two of them (irinotecan and oxaliplatin) are cytotoxic drugs, whereas the other two (bevacizumab and cetuximab) are monoclonal antibodies against molecular targets. Bevacizumab, a humanized antibody directed against the vascular endothelial growth factor, has been examined in combination with chemotherapeutic agents in several clinical trials in patients with advanced colorectal cancer. According to the phase III randomized controlled clinical trial, the addition of bevacizumab to IFL (irinotecan, 5-FU, leucovorin) led to an impressive, statistically significant increase in the rate of response and prolongation in median overall survival. Recently, a statistically significant prolongation in median survival was also reported with the addition of bevacizumab to FOLFOX4 (oxaliplain, 5-FU, leucovorin) regimen in patients with advanced colorectal cancer. Cetuximab is a monoclonal antibody against the epidermal growth factor receptor. It appears to be synergistic with irinotecan, even in irinotecan-refractory tumors. The most common side effect of cetuximab is acne-like rash, and interestingly, the development and severity of it have been correlated with an increased likelihood of an objective response. In the future, additional research will be required to define the optimal selection and scheduling of available cytotoxic and biologic treatment in individually tailored therapeutic strategies.
Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Bevacizumab ; Cetuximab ; Colorectal Neoplasms* ; Exanthema ; Fluorouracil ; Humans ; Korea ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; United States Food and Drug Administration ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

This experiment was designed to study the effect of 131I-recombinant human epidermal growth factor (131I-rhEGF) on the growth of tumor in nude mice loaded with human breast cancer. Bioactivity of 131I-rhEGF and uptake of 131I-rhEGF in breast cancer tissue were verified using biodistribution experiment of 131I-rhEGF in the nude mice loaded with human breast cancer. The effect of 131I-rhEGF on the growth of tumor was assessed via the growth experiment of tumor in the nude mice loaded with human breast cancer. The ultrastructural change of the tumor cell treated with 131I-rhEGF was observed under transmission electron microscope, and the pathological change of the tumor tissue treated with 131I-rhEGF was detected by biopsy. The results showed that the tumor tissue of nude mice bearing human breast cancer obviously takes in 131I-rhEGF; that intravenous administration and intratumoral administration of 131I-rhEGF both obviously inhibit the growth of tumor, the inhibition rates (82.00% and 80.70%) being remarkably higher than that of 131I (7.49%) and that of 131I-HSA (6.91%) (P<0.05); and that intravenous and intratumoral administration of 131I-rhEGF both obviously damage and kill tumor cells. Therefore, 131I-rhEGF can inhibit the growth of human breast cancer cell in nude mice; it is a potential receptor-mediated radioactivity targeting drug for treating breast cancer.
Animals ; Breast Neoplasms ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Iodine Radioisotopes ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo study the correlation between the expansion with different volume and the contents of the b-FGF and EGF in the expanded skin.

METHODSThe piglets were used in the experiment,which were divided into 7 groups including the sham, the blank control,the experimental groups with inflation of 1/2 volume, 3/4 volume, full volume, 150% volume and 200% volume. When expansion was complete, b-FGF was measured using enzyme coagulate method. EGF was measured by radioimmunoassay. The data were analyzed statistically.

RESULTSThe contents of b-FGF and EGF in the expanded skin was significantly higher than normal skin (P < 0.05). The difference in contents of b-FGF and EGF between the over-expanded skin and normal skin was more significant (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONExpansion can lead to the increase of b-FGF and EGF contents in the expanded skin.The biological effects may be relative to epidermal hyperplasia and angiogenesis of the expanded skin.

Animals ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; analysis ; metabolism ; Fibroblast Growth Factors ; analysis ; metabolism ; Models, Animal ; Radioimmunoassay ; Skin ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Swine ; Water ; administration & dosage

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on estrogen receptor (ER) and androgen receptor (AR) in mouse prostate cells and explore the putative role of EGF in prostatic hyperplasia.

METHODSSixty male Kunming mice were randomly divided into two EGF groups and one control group (n=20) and subjected to subcutaneous injection of 1 and 2 microg/day EGF and distilled water, respectively, for 28 consecutive days. The cellular expression of ER and AR in the prostate of mice in different groups was evaluated by flow cytometry.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the positivity rate of ER and its expression level were significantly increased in the mouse prostate after EGF treatment (P<0.01), and the ER expression level was significantly higher in mouse with 2 microg/day EGF treatment than in those treated with 2 microg/day EGF (P<0.01). AR positivity rate and expression level also increased significantly in comparison with the control group (P<0.05), but no significant variation was found between 1 microg/day and 2 microg/day EGF groups.

CONCLUSIONEGF can increase the cellular expression of ER and AR in mice prostate and may play a role in the pathogenesis of prostatic hyperplasia.

Animals ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Flow Cytometry ; Injections, Subcutaneous ; Male ; Mice ; Prostate ; cytology ; metabolism ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; metabolism ; pathology ; Random Allocation ; Receptors, Androgen ; biosynthesis ; Receptors, Estrogen ; biosynthesis

More effective treatments in first, second, and third-line of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) enable patients to live longer, with a better quality of life (QOL). Especially epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) contributed to this improvement. Gefitinib was compared with Docetaxel in four randomized trials, i.e., SIGN, Japanese V-1532, Korean ISTANA, and INTEREST in second or third-line treatment of metastatic NSCLC. In all the trials, and also by meta-analysis of 2,257 patients in these trials, Gefitinib was found non-inferior or superior to Docetaxel, with less toxicity, convenient oral administration, and better QOL. Detailed results are presented in the review article. Knowing that every line of treatment we may lose about 50% of patients for further treatment, it is very important to offer each patient the best option for every line of treatment. Gefitinib has a favorable benefit-risk profile compared with Docetaxel in this patient population.
Administration, Oral ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; Humans ; Oligosaccharides ; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; Quality of Life ; Quinazolines ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; Taxoids

Contact burn is usually caused by prolonged contact to hot material and results in deep dermal injury. As a result, skin and soft tissue defects occur, and coverage of defect is required. When defect is located in the foot phalanxes, reconstruction becomes more challenging owing to anatomical features. If the patient has medical histories such as diabetes mellitus, peripheral arterial obstructive disease, or chronic kidney disease, peripheral circulation may be worsened, and reconstruction becomes more difficult. We present the case of a patient with contact burn wound on his foot phalanxes and dorsum, where extensor digitorum tendons were exposed. Initial trial of skin graft was failed and they were completely epithelialized through secondary-intention healing with the administration of ointment containing recombinant human epidermal growth factor.
Administration, Topical* ; Arterial Occlusive Diseases ; Burns ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Epidermal Growth Factor* ; Foot* ; Humans* ; Re-Epithelialization ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; Skin* ; Tendons* ; Transplants ; Wound Healing ; Wounds and Injuries

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to know whether silibinin has an anticancer effect on triple negative breast cancer xenograft model using MDA-MB-468 cells. METHODS: To establish the xenograft model, we injected the MDA-MB-468 cells into female Balb/c-nude mice. After establishing a xenograft model, oral silibinin was administered to the tested mice in the way of 200 mg/kg for 45 days. The difference of mean tumor volume between silibinin fed mice and control mice was analyzed. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) phosphorylation in MDA-MB-468 cells was analyzed by Western blotting. The expression of VEGF, COX-2, and MMP-9 genes in tumor tissue was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: In the xenograft model using MDA-MB-468 cells, we found that oral administration of silibinin significantly suppressed the tumor volume (silibinin treated mice vs. control mice; 230.3 +/- 61.6 mm3 vs. 435.7 +/- 93.5 mm3, P < 0.001). The phosphorylation of EGFR in MDA-MB-468 cells was inhibited by treatment with 50 microg/mL of silibinin. In real time-PCR analysis of tumor tissue obtained from sacrificed mice, the gene expression of MMP-9, VEGF, and COX-2 was 51.8%-80% smaller in silibinin group than that of control group and we can also verify the similar result using Western blotting analysis. CONCLUSION: We verified that silibinin had anticancer effect on xenograft model of MDA-MB-468 cells in the way of preventing the phosphorylation of EGFR and eventually suppressed the production of COX-2, VEGF, and MMP-9 expression. Finally, the tumor volume of xenograft models was decreased after administration of Silibinin.
Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Heterografts* ; Humans ; Mice ; Phosphorylation ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms ; Tumor Burden ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

Benzamides ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; drug therapy ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Erlotinib Hydrochloride ; Humans ; Imatinib Mesylate ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Piperazines ; administration & dosage ; Pyrimidines ; administration & dosage ; Quinazolines ; administration & dosage ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; antagonists & inhibitors