Levels of TGF-α and EGFR Protein in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Patient Survival

摘要: Background: The most accurate predictor of disease recurrence in patients treated for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is, at present, the extent regional lymph node metastasis. Since elevated levels epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) its ligand, transforming factor-a (TGF-a), have been detected primary tumors with carcinoma, we determined whether tumor these proteins were prognostic importance. Methods: Monoclonal antibodies specific EGFR TGF-a used immunohistochemical detection each protein tissue sections from 91 who by surgical resection. Levels immunoreactive quantified use a computerized image analysis system normalized to appropriate standards. logrank test proportional hazards regression calculate probability that associated disease-free survival (i.e., no cancer) cause-specific do not die their disease). All P values two-sided. Results: When or analyzed as continuous variables, reduced among higher (both = .0001) .0001). In multivariate analysis, site, level EGFR, statistically significant predictors survival; similar stage survival. Conclusion: Quantitation carcinomas may be useful identifying subgroups high risk guiding therapy. [J Natl Cancer Inst 1998; 90:824‐32]