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Updated: Apr 5, 2026

Fully Processed Recombinant KRAS4b: Isolating and Characterizing the Farnesylated and Methylated Protein
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Phosphorylated epidermal growth factor receptor expression and KRAS mutation status in salivary gland carcinomas

T Schneider1, A Strehl2, C Linz1

  • 1Oral and Maxillofacial Plastic Surgery, University Hospital Würzburg, Pleicherwall 2, 97070, Würzburg, Germany.

Clinical Oral Investigations
|August 7, 2015
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Salivary gland carcinomas frequently express phosphorylated EGFR (pEGFR), a marker linked to lymph node metastasis. This suggests EGFR-inhibiting drugs may benefit patients with advanced disease.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Head and Neck Cancer Research
  • Molecular Pathology

Background:

  • Salivary gland carcinomas are rare, often unresectable head and neck tumors.
  • Limited understanding of targeted therapy efficacy due to poor response to chemotherapy.
  • The Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) pathway is a target in many epithelial tumors, but its role in salivary gland cancers is understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression of phosphorylated EGFR (pEGFR) in salivary gland carcinomas.
  • To correlate pEGFR expression with clinicopathological features and KRAS mutations.
  • To explore the potential of the EGFR pathway as a therapeutic target.

Main Methods:

  • Immunohistochemistry was used to assess pEGFR expression in 43 salivary gland carcinoma specimens.
  • Included were adenoidcystic carcinoma, mucoepidermoid carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma NOS.
  • KRAS mutations were screened, and findings correlated with clinical data.

Main Results:

  • A high prevalence of pEGFR expression (79%) was observed in salivary gland carcinomas.
  • pEGFR expression correlated significantly with patient age and lymph node metastasis (pN).
  • No KRAS mutations were detected in codons 12 or 13.

Conclusions:

  • High pEGFR expression is common in salivary gland carcinomas and associated with lymph node metastasis.
  • pEGFR status may serve as a negative predictive factor.
  • The EGFR pathway represents a potential therapeutic target for advanced, unresectable salivary gland carcinomas.
Keywords:
Adenoid cystic carcinomaCetuximabEGFRKRASSalivary gland cancer

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