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Updated: Jul 18, 2026
Genome-Wide Analysis of DNA Methylation in Gastrointestinal Cancer
Published on: September 18, 2020
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR): mutational and protein expression analysis in gastric cancer
Enzo Mammano1, Claudio Belluco, Manuela Sciro
1Department of Oncological and Surgical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy. enzo.mammano@unipd.it
Background:
Since specific epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) somatic mutations have been demonstrated to influence the response to anti-EGFR therapy in non-small cell lung cancer, EGFR gene mutational analysis of different types of neoplasm is under investigation.
Patients And Methods:
EGFR protein expression and gene mutations in exons 18, 19 and 21 were investigated in 49 gastric adenocarcinomas.
Results:
no specific EGFR gene mutations were detected, while EGFR positive staining was detected in 6% of the cases.
Conclusion:
Our findings indicate that in gastric adenocarcinoma, specific EGFR gene mutations are very rare or absent and the rate of EGFR protein expression is low.
Insights
Specific epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutations are rare in gastric adenocarcinoma. EGFR protein expression is also low in these tumors, suggesting limited utility for anti-EGFR therapies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) somatic mutations impact anti-EGFR therapy response in non-small cell lung cancer.
- EGFR gene mutational analysis is being investigated across various neoplasms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate EGFR gene mutations and protein expression in gastric adenocarcinomas.
- To determine the prevalence of specific EGFR mutations (exons 18, 19, 21) in gastric cancer.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of EGFR protein expression and gene mutations in 49 gastric adenocarcinoma samples.
- Focus on exons 18, 19, and 21 of the EGFR gene.
Main Results:
- No specific EGFR gene mutations were detected in the studied gastric adenocarcinomas.
- EGFR protein expression was positive in only 6% of the cases.
Conclusions:
- Specific EGFR gene mutations are very rare or absent in gastric adenocarcinoma.
- The rate of EGFR protein expression is low in gastric adenocarcinoma.
- Findings suggest limited potential for targeted anti-EGFR therapies in this cancer type based on these mutations.
