Διερεύνηση της έκφρασης του EGFR, της κυκλίνης D1 και της τελομεράσης και συσχέτισή τους με κλινικοπαθολογικές παραμέτρους στα καρκινώματα του λάρυγγα

Abstract

Introduction Overexpression of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) and also of cell cycle control proteins, such as cyclin D1 is a frequent event in squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx (LSSC). Our aim was to correlate their protein levels and telomerase catalytic subunit (h-TERT) expression, with the clinicopathological data of the examined cases.Material and methods Using tissue microarray technology, fifty-five (55), paraffin embedded histologically confirmed primary LSSCs and also ten dysplastic lesions were cored at a diameter of 1.5mm. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed by the use of anti-EGFR, anti-cyclin D1, and anti-h TERT monoclonal antibodies. Chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH) analysis was also applied using EGFR gene and chromosome 7 probes, respectively.Results EGFR, cyclin D1 and h-TERT protein overexpression was observed in 48/55 (87.2%), 19/55 (34.5%) and 21/55 (38.1%) carcinoma cases, respectively. EGFR protein expression was statistically associated with grade (p = 0.01), and also with stage (p = 0.001) of the examined tumors. Borderline statistical significance was assessed correlating overall cyclin D1 expression to h TERT expression (p=0.06). Simultaneous up regulation of the three proteins was established in 7/55 (12.7%) cases, correlated to the stage of the tumors (p=0.05). EGFR gene amplification was observed in 7/65 (10.7%) carcinomas and dysplasias, whereas chromosome 7 aneuploidy was detected in 4/65 (6.1%) of those cases.Conclusion Simultaneous up regulation of EGFR, cyclin D1 and h TERT proteins correlates with advanced stage in LSCC. EGFR gene amplification and not only protein over expression maybe is the eligible criterion for targeted therapeutic strategies in those pattients.