J Endocr Surg.  2018 Dec;18(4):228-235. 10.16956/jes.2018.18.4.228.

EGFR and HER2 Expression in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

• Kim YS
• Kim JS
• Kim YS

• KMID: 2429810
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.16956/jes.2018.18.4.228

Abstract

PURPOSE
The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family plays a crucial role in the growth of malignant tumors. EGFR and human EGFR 2 (HER2) protein overexpression are associated with an unfavorable prognosis and are important therapeutic targets in breast cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between EGFR and HER2 expression and clinicopathological factors in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) at a single institution.
METHODS
A total of 129 consecutive patients with PTC were enrolled in this study and underwent thyroid surgery between October 2013 and February 2015. EGFR and HER2 protein expression was evaluated in the 129 primary tumors by immunohistochemistry, and the results were compared with the clinicopathological features.
RESULTS
Of the 129 PTC tumors, 20 (15.5%) were HER2 positive, and 109 (84.5%) were HER2 negative. Moreover, EGFR positivity were observed in 111 (86%) tumors. The mean age of the patients was 46.3±11.9 years (range, 20-74 years), and the mean tumor size was 1.08±0.75 cm (range, 0.2-3.5 cm). Tumor size, extrathyroidal extension, histological subtype, and TNM stage were not significantly associated with EGFR or HER2 expression. Meanwhile, high Ki-67 labeling index was significantly associated with EGFR expression (P=0.002), HER2 expression was significantly associated with younger age (≤45 years) and cervical lymph node metastasis.
CONCLUSION
Based on our data, it is not clear whether EGFR and HER2 expression is associated with tumor aggressiveness in PTC.

Keyword

Papillary thyroid cancer; ErbB-2 receptor; Epidermal growth factor receptor

MeSH Terms

Breast Neoplasms
Humans
Immunohistochemistry
Lymph Nodes
Neoplasm Metastasis
Prognosis
Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor
Receptor, ErbB-2
Thyroid Gland*
Thyroid Neoplasms*
Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor
Receptor, ErbB-2

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