Expression and significance of EGFR in malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) is an aggressive sarcoma. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) may play a putative role in its pathogenesis, and be targeted for therapeutic purposes. The study was aimed at investigating the expression and prognostic influence of EGFR in MPNST. Primary and metastatic MPNSTs were immunostained with antibodies to EGFR. The total EGFR expression (membranous and cytoplasmic) was analyzed by morphometry, grade of positivity and the intensity (score 0-3). An EGFR composite score (range 0-300) was calculated by multiplying the intensity by the grade. A composite score >10 was considered as EGFR overexpression. Score was correlated with clinical behavior. Forty-three percentage of 46 patients with MPNST overexpressed EGFR in the primary tumor, and had a higher prevalence of advanced-stage tumors (>or=IIc, 46% vs. 80%, P = 0.011). Patients without overexpression had a higher prevalence of tumors with a low mitotic rate (31% vs. 0%, P = 0.049). Neurofibromatosis was more prevalent in patients with EGFR overexpression (75% vs. 42%, P = 0.007). Five year disease free survival (mean 30.1 vs. 17.4 months, P = 0.048), time to progression (mean 9.2 vs. 5.2 months, P = 0.005) and 5 year survival (52% vs. 25%, P = 0.041, mean 54 vs. 43 months) were significantly higher among patients without overexpression. EGFR appeared to play a role in MPNST progression. EGFR overexpression was correlated with worse prognostic variables and course. Clinical trials of targeting EGFR in MPNST are warranted.