Influence of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutations on the expression of EGFR, phosphoryl-Akt, and phosphoryl-MAPK, and on the prognosis of patients with non-small cell lung cancer

✍ Scribed by Makoto Sonobe; Masatsugu Nakagawa; Kazumasa Takenaka; Hiromichi Katakura; Masashi Adachi; Kazuhiro Yanagihara; Yosuke Otake; Hiromi Wada; Fumihiro Tanaka

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2006
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 117 KB
• Volume: 95
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0022-4790
• DOI: 10.1002/jso.20547

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Background and Objectives

In this paper we examined the influence of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutations on EGFR expression, downstream mediators, and survival in patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the tumors of 53 patients with completely resected pathological stage I–IIIA NSCLC for the presence of EGFR gene mutations, the expression of EGFR mRNA and protein, phosphoryl‐Akt, and phosphoryl‐mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) using immunostaining, and patients' prognosis.

Results

EGFR mutations were associated with elevations in EGFR mRNA (P = 0.004) and protein (P = 0.029) expression, but not with the expression of phosphoryl‐Akt or phosphoryl‐MAPK. The 5‐year survival rate for all patients who exhibited an EGFR mutation was similar to those who were free of such mutations (71% vs. 56%, P = 0.252). However, the 5‐year survival rate of patients with either a stage I adenocarcinoma or large cell carcinoma who had an EGFR mutation was significantly greater than for those who did not have such a mutation (92% vs. 57%, P = 0.037).

Conclusions

EGFR gene mutations were significantly associated with higher EGFR expression, but not with p‐Akt or p‐MAPK status. In early stage NSCLC, the presence of an EGFR gene mutation bode well for the patient's prognosis. J. Surg. Oncol. 2007;95:63–69. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.