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Published on: March 11, 2014
[Epidermal growth factor receptor gene amplification and E-cadherin expression in head and neck carcinomas]
J P Rodrigo Tapia1, F Domínguez Iglesias, C Alvarez Marcos
1Servicio de Otorrinolaringología, Hospital Central de Asturias, Instituto Universitario de Oncologia del Principado de Asturias, Universidad de Oviedo, Asturias. juanpablo.rodrigo@sespa.princast.es
Introduction:
The E-cadherin adhesion molecule is fundamentally involved in the maintenance of normal epithelial morphology and differentiation. The scattering and invasion of cancer cells induced by epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation has been suggested to be probably by affecting E-cadherin function. The aim of this study is to confirm whether EGFR amplification is related to E-cadherin expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas.
Material And Methods:
Fifty patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma were studied. EGFR amplification was analyzed by semiquantitative PCR. E-cadherin expressión was determined by immunohistochemistry.
Results:
EGFR amplification was found in 9 cases (18%). E-cadherin expression was generally weaker in tumors than in adjacent normal epithelium. No relationship was found between EGFR amplification and E-cadherin expression.
Conclusion:
EGFR amplification did not affect the level of E-cadherin expression, suggesting a complementary role of both of these molecules in reduction of cellular adhesion in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas.
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