Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 21, 2026
Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Salivary Glands for Sjogren's Syndrome: Diagnostic and Monitoring Insights
Published on: October 13, 2023
Treatment relevant target immunophenotyping of 139 salivary gland carcinomas (SGCs)
Laura D Locati1, Federica Perrone, Marco Losa
1Head and Neck Unit, Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, via Venezian 1, 20133 Milan, Italy.
Abstract:
Salivary gland carcinomas (SGCs) are rare tumors encompassing a wide spectrum of histologic/biologic entities. Standard non-surgical treatments are ineffective in case of advanced disease. Our aim was to analyze SGCs deregulation gene profiles that could become target for innovative treatment options. Samples from 139 patients with primary, recurrent and/or metastatic SGCs were investigated by immunohistochemistry for protein encoded by tyrosine kinases receptors (TKRs) i.e. c-kit, HER2, EGFR and hormonal receptors, i.e. androgen (AR), estrogen (ER) and progesterone receptors (PgR). In 26 cases, the HER2 immunohistochemical analysis was complemented by fluorescence in-situ hybridization analysis. EGFR was the most expressed TKRs (71%) and it was found across all histotypes. c-Kit expression was mainly restricted to adenoid cystic carcinoma (78%) while HER2 expression, mostly sustained by gene amplification, correlated with salivary duct carcinoma (SDC) in 44% of cases and adenocarcinoma, not otherwise specified (AD, NOS) in 21% of cases. With respect to histogenetic classification, TKRs expression occurred more often in tumors derived from intercalated duct rather than excretory ones with the only exception of HER2. AR was found in 13% of samples, restricted to SDC and AD, NOS and it was co-expressed with HER2 in more than half of the SDC cases. ER and PgR positivity was never detected. This TK-hormonal receptors analysis identify a histotype-specific profiles that could be exploited for better selecting patients for innovative treatment within prospective studies.
Insights
Salivary gland carcinomas (SGCs) show distinct receptor expression profiles. Tyrosine kinase receptors (TKRs) like EGFR and HER2, and androgen receptors (AR) are key targets for novel SGC treatments.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Pathology
- Cancer Genomics
Background:
- Salivary gland carcinomas (SGCs) are rare and diverse tumors.
- Advanced SGCs often lack effective non-surgical treatment options.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze gene expression profiles of SGCs for potential therapeutic targets.
- To investigate the expression of tyrosine kinase receptors (TKRs) and hormonal receptors in SGCs.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was used to assess protein expression of c-kit, HER2, EGFR, androgen receptor (AR), estrogen receptor (ER), and progesterone receptor (PgR) in 139 SGC samples.
- Fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) was performed for HER2 analysis in 26 cases.
Main Results:
- Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was the most frequent TKR (71%), found in all histotypes.
- c-Kit expression was primarily in adenoid cystic carcinoma (78%).
- HER2 expression, often due to gene amplification, was observed in salivary duct carcinoma (SDC) (44%) and adenocarcinoma, NOS (21%).
- Androgen receptor (AR) was found in 13% of SDCs and adenocarcinomas, NOS, frequently co-expressed with HER2 in SDCs.
- Estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PgR) were not detected.
Conclusions:
- Tyrosine kinase receptor and hormonal receptor expression in SGCs exhibit histotype-specific patterns.
- These distinct profiles can guide patient selection for targeted therapies in future clinical studies.
