Expression of EGFR, HER2, HER3, and HER4 in metastatic squamous cell carcinomas of the oral cavity and base of tongue

• The expressions of all four receptors in the epidermal growth factor receptor family, EGFR. HER2, HER3, and HER4 were evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 19 cases of metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and base of tongue. EGFR had a similar and high expression in both primary tumours and the corresponding metastases, while the expression in normal epithelium was lower in most cases. HER2 was not expressed to the same extent as EGFR. However, when HER2 was well expressed, it was in most cases expressed to the same extent and intensity in the primary tumours, metastases, and normal epithelium. The expression of HER3 and HER4 varied and was mainly cytoplasmic in all cases studied. No overexpression of HER3 and HER4 in tumours was seen as compared to normal epithelium. In order to further investigate the distribution of HER3, two HER3 expressing cell lines originating from tongue cancer were analysed in vitro, using radiolabelled anti-HER3 antibodies directed to the extracellular domains of the receptor. The results indicated that HER3 was not present in measurable amounts in the cellular membrane. There is a need for improved diagnostics and therapy for the studied type of tumours, e.g. using radiolabelled antibodies or ligands, and EGFR seemed suitable as target since the expression was high, membrane associated and similar in the primary tumours and the corresponding metastases.

Nyckelord

Aged

Aged; 80 and over

Carcinoma; Squamous Cell/*genetics/pathology

Comparative Study

Female

Gene Expression Profiling

Humans

Immunohistochemistry

Ligands

Male

Middle Aged

Receptor; Epidermal Growth Factor/analysis/*biosynthesis

Receptor; erbB-2/analysis/*biosynthesis

Receptor; erbB-3/analysis/*biosynthesis

Research Support; Non-U.S. Gov't

Tongue Neoplasms/*genetics/pathology

Tumor Cells; Cultured

MEDICINE

MEDICIN

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)