Overexpression of the epidermal growth factor receptor and its ligand transforming growth factor alpha is frequent in resectable non-small cell lung cancer but does not predict tumor progression.

摘要: The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and its ligand transforming (TGF) alpha are hypothesized to form an autocrine loop in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) play important role tumor formation progression. We studied the association between overexpression of EGFR, TGF-alpha, or both, overall survival patients with resectable NSCLC. Overexpression, defined as >20% cells staining on immunohistochemistry, was examined 96 samples from consecutive having resection previously untreated, well-staged NSCLC who were then followed prospectively (median follow-up, 20.7 months). expression three other ligands for EGFR (epidermal factor, cripto, amphiregulin) by Northern analysis determine whether they might also contribute a potential stimulatory loop. Overall, calculated method Kaplan Meier, prognostic factors compared using log-rank test. Overexpression only found 32% (31 96), TGF-alpha 10% (10 both 38% (37 neither 19% (19 96) tumors. observed all stages histological types but most frequent squamous carcinoma. By univariate multivariate analyses, stage, not histology had significant impact survival. No cripto at total cellular RNA level benign lung, suggesting that these may participate EGFR. Differential amphiregulin malignant versus normal observed, this pattern did have impact. Thus, is early-stage associated difference. These findings suggest factor/receptor more than