Characterization, quantification, and potential clinical value of the epidermal growth factor receptor in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas.

摘要: Epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulates the of several types epithelial tissues and possesses a strong mitogenic activity that is mediated through its cell surface receptor (EGFR). The aim this study was to characterize EGFR measure levels in head neck tumors biopsies (70 patients); use simplified competition technique with radiolabeled ligand allowed evaluation functional EGFR. Five samples (4 1 control) were used EGF binding. Graphic representation identified single family binding sites. Kd values revealed high affinity for binding: mean Kd, 0.156 +/- 0.108 nM (0.095-0.347 nM). EGF-binding characteristics (Kd) similar nontumoral tissue (controls) tumor material. In 59 60 cases, higher than corresponding controls. A significant correlation found between size stage. Controls exhibited trend toward elevated sizes stages. According cutoff value 100 fmol/mg protein, which separated all controls from tumors, EGFR-positive (greater protein) had greater probability complete response chemotherapy EGFR-negative tumors; other characteristics, such as degree tumoral differentiation, size, or stage, unable operate discrimination chemotherapy. may thus be an interesting biological marker cancer.