Epidermal growth factor receptor and tissue tumor markers in human intracranial neoplasms

The content of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr) and its relation to tissue CEA and NSE were examined in 22 intracranial neoplasms (18 primary intracranial tumors and 4 metastasis from lung cancer). The EGFr was measured by a radioligand assay on crude plasma membrane preparations. The tissue tumor markers (CEA and NSE) were measured on the high speed supernatant of tissue homogenates. In the primary intracranial tumors the EGFr was positive in 68%, CEA in 43% and NSE in 47% of all cases examined. As it concerns the metastasis from lung cancer the positivity was 75% for EGFr while for CEA and NSE was 50% and 32% respectively. These results suggest that the routine measurement of EGFr, associated with the determinations of tissue CEA and NSE could provide useful information on the type of the intracranial neoplasms.