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Annals of Surgical Oncology
Published in: Annals of Surgical Oncology 4/2008

01-04-2008 | Head and Neck Oncology

EGFR, HER2, and HER3 Expression in Laryngeal Primary Tumors and Corresponding Metastases

Authors: Qichun Wei, MD, PhD, Liming Sheng, MD, Yongjie Shui, MD, Qiongge Hu, MD, Hans Nordgren, MD, Jorgen Carlsson, PhD

Published in: Annals of Surgical Oncology | Issue 4/2008

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Abstract

Background

There are several substances available to target members of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family, both for imaging in nuclear medicine and for various forms of therapy. The level and stability of expression in both primary tumors and corresponding metastases is crucial in the assessment of a receptor as a target in systemic tumor therapy. To date, the expression of EGFR family members has only been determined in primary laryngeal carcinomas, and we have not found published data regarding the receptor status in corresponding metastatic lesions.

Methods

Expression of EGFR, HER2, and HER3 was investigated immunohistochemically in both lymph node metastases and corresponding primary laryngeal squamous carcinomas (n = 40).

Results

EGFR overexpression (2+ or 3+) was found in 87.5% (35/40) of the laryngeal primary tumors and 82.5% (33/40) of the corresponding lymph node metastases. There was a good agreement between the primary tumors and the paired metastases regarding EGFR expression. HER2 overexpression was found in only four cases (10.5%) of the studied primary tumors and in all cases the HER2 expression was retained in the paired metastases. Another two metastases gained HER2 status when compared to the corresponding primary tumors. Strong HER3 staining was found in 26.7% of both the primary tumors and the corresponding metastases.

Conclusions

The high frequency and stability in EGFR expression is encouraging for efforts to use EGFR targeting agents (e.g. Iressa, Tarceva, Erbitux or radiolabeled antibodies) for therapy of laryngeal carcinoma. For a few laryngeal carcinoma patients with HER2 overexpression, anti-HER2 agents could possibly be used.
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Metadata
Title
EGFR, HER2, and HER3 Expression in Laryngeal Primary Tumors and Corresponding Metastases
Authors
Qichun Wei, MD, PhD
Liming Sheng, MD
Yongjie Shui, MD
Qiongge Hu, MD
Hans Nordgren, MD
Jorgen Carlsson, PhD
Publication date
01-04-2008
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Annals of Surgical Oncology / Issue 4/2008
Print ISSN: 1068-9265
Electronic ISSN: 1534-4681
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-007-9771-3

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