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Open Access 01-12-2013 | Research

Expression of epidermal growth factor receptor is an independent prognostic factor for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Authors: Qifeng Wang, Hongxia Zhu, Zefen Xiao, Wencheng Zhang, Xiao Liu, Xun Zhang, Jie He, Kelin Sun, Lvhua Wang, Ningzhi Xu

Published in: World Journal of Surgical Oncology | Issue 1/2013

Abstract

Background

The overall survival of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains poor. Prognostic predictions in ESCC are usually based on histological assessment of tumor invasion and lymph node metastasis, but a biomarker with better predictive accuracy could be more useful. Because overexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been associated with poor prognosis, this study investigated whether EGFR is an independent prognostic factor for overall survival and disease-free survival of ESCC patients.

Methods

ESCC tissue specimens from 243 patients obtained during surgical resection between 1980 and 1997 were retrieved for immunohistochemical analysis of EGFR expression.

Results

The data showed that EGFR protein was overexpressed in 187 of 243 (77%) ESCC tissues. Elevated expression was associated with higher pathologic tumor stages (P = 0.001), lymph node metastasis (P = 0.002), and higher Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) stage (P <0.0001), as well as poorer disease-free survival and overall survival of ESCC patients (P <0.0001). A multivariate analysis showed that overexpression of EGFR protein was an independent factor for disease-free survival (P = 0.003) and overall survival (P = 0.001) of these patients. Subgroup analysis of patients with stage IIA (UICC 2002) showed that EGFR overexpression was associated with poorer disease-free survival (P = 0.007) and overall survival (P = 0.010) of the patients in univariate analyses.

Conclusions

The current study demonstrated that EGFR overexpression was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival and disease-free survival of ESCC patients. However, targeting of EGFR activity using gefitinib or erlotinib could be useful for clinical treatment of ESCC patients.

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Title: Expression of epidermal growth factor receptor is an independent prognostic factor for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Qifeng Wang
Hongxia Zhu
Zefen Xiao
Wencheng Zhang
Xiao Liu
Xun Zhang
Jie He
Kelin Sun
Lvhua Wang
Ningzhi Xu
Publication date: 01-12-2013
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: World Journal of Surgical Oncology / Issue 1/2013
Electronic ISSN: 1477-7819
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7819-11-278

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Expression of epidermal growth factor receptor is an independent prognostic factor for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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