J Korean Soc Coloproctol.  2005 Feb;21(1):36-41.

The Significances of EGFR Overexpression in Colorectal Cancer

• Kim HA
• Lee RA
• Hwang DY
• Park SH

Abstract

PURPOSE: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a transmembrane cell surface receptor which has tyrosine kinase activity stimulated upon EGF binding. EGFR was found to be up-regulated in various malignancies. Recently, chimeric monoclonal antibody (C225) to EGFR is under investigation as a targeted therapeutic agent for advanced colorectal cancer. Along with this advance, identification of EGFR expression in colorectal cancer became more important.
METHODS
To investigate the expression of EGFR in colorectal cancer, we carried out the immunohistochemical staining in surgical specimen of 46 consecutive enrolled colorectal cancer patients of Korea Cancer Center Hospital from August, 1998 to June, 1999. The stained slides were read by pathologist and scored as negative or positive. These results were analyzed according to clinical parameters.
RESULTS
Average age was 55 years old (32~73 yr) and sex ratio was 1.56 : 1. The expression rate of EGFR in colorectal cancer was 56.5% (26/46 cases). EGFR expression was not correlated with age, sex, Tie-1, Tie-2 expression, TNM stage, lymphatic invasion, presence of distant metastasis, serum VEGF level. We could not find out staitistical difference of survival according to EGFR expression.
CONCLUSIONS
EGFR overexpression was well characterized by immunochemical staining method, which could be applied easily as a basic pathologic step to decide additional therapy after resection for advanced colorectal cancer.

Keyword

EGFR; Colorectal cancer; Immunohistochemical staining

MeSH Terms

Colorectal Neoplasms*
Epidermal Growth Factor
Humans
Korea
Middle Aged
Neoplasm Metastasis
Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor
Sex Ratio
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
Epidermal Growth Factor
Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A