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Updated: Apr 22, 2026
Multi-photon Imaging of Tumor Cell Invasion in an Orthotopic Mouse Model of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Published on: July 25, 2011
Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas do not express EGFRvIII.
Lieuwe J Melchers1, Martijn J A M Clausen1, Mirjam F Mastik2
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands; Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
The epidermal growth factor receptor variant III (EGFRvIII) mutation is not found in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). This finding indicates EGFRvIII is not a viable target for HNSCC treatment or prognosis.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a key target in cancer therapy.
- EGFRvIII is a specific mutation of EGFR implicated in various cancers.
- Its role in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of the EGFRvIII mutation in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
- To evaluate EGFRvIII as a potential therapeutic target and prognostic marker in HNSCC.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry (IHC) using the L8A4 antibody was optimized for EGFRvIII detection.
- Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to assess EGFRvIII RNA expression.
- 531 HNSCC tissue samples were analyzed for EGFRvIII protein and RNA expression.
Main Results:
- No EGFRvIII protein expression was detected in any of the 531 HNSCC cases.
- RT-PCR analysis also confirmed the absence of EGFRvIII transcript.
- A previously reported IHC protocol showed non-specific staining in 8% of cases, which was not validated by RT-PCR.
Conclusions:
- The EGFRvIII mutation is absent in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
- EGFRvIII does not influence treatment response in HNSCC.
- EGFRvIII is not a clinically usable prognostic marker for HNSCC.
