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Correlation between epidermal growth factor receptor mutations and nuclear expression of female hormone receptors in
Qihua He1, Mingzhe Zhang1, Jianrong Zhang1
11 Department of Thoracic Surgery and Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510120, China ; 2 Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease & China State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease & National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou 510120, China ; 3 Department of Cardiology, Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital, Xiamen 361004, China.
Background:
Compared with male, female non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients have better response when treated with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), suggesting a potential association between female hormones and EGFR mutation. However, the results provided by previous studies were inconclusive and controversial. We sought to examine the link between the expression of nuclear female hormone receptors and EGFR mutations in NSCLC.
Methods:
Electronic databases were used to search the relevant articles. The involved hormone receptors included estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR). The primary endpoint was the occurrence of ER/PR expression and EGFR mutation in NSCLC patients.
Results:
Five studies fulfilled the criteria and were included in our analysis. Patients with high ER-β expression had higher positive EGFR mutation than low ER-β patients (44.2% vs. 23.7%), and there was a significant difference between the two groups [odds radio (OR) 3.44, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.40-4.93, Z=6.72, P<0.001]. However, there is no significant correlation between EGFR mutations and ER-α (when included ER-α3, OR 1.20, 95% CI: 0.62-2.33, Z=0.55, P=0.58; and when included ER-α4, OR 1.18, 95% CI: 0.62-2.25, Z=0.51, P=0.61) or PR (OR 1.29, 95% CI: 0.40-4.10, Z=0.43, P=0.67). No significant publication bias was observed.
Conclusions:
High nuclear expression of ER-β, but not ER-α or PR is correlated with EGFR mutations in NSCLC. The underlying mechanism and potential translational relevance warrant further investigation.
Insights
High expression of estrogen receptor beta (ER-β) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is linked to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations. This finding suggests a potential biomarker for targeted therapy in NSCLC patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Female non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients exhibit better response to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs).
- This suggests a potential link between female hormones and EGFR mutations, but previous studies yielded inconclusive results.
- Investigating the association between nuclear female hormone receptor expression and EGFR mutations in NSCLC is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the correlation between the expression of nuclear estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) and the presence of EGFR mutations in NSCLC.
- To clarify the controversial findings regarding the relationship between female hormones and EGFR mutations in NSCLC.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was conducted across electronic databases for relevant studies.
- Studies included assessed estrogen receptor alpha (ER-α), estrogen receptor beta (ER-β), and progesterone receptor (PR) expression in NSCLC patients.
- The primary endpoints were the occurrence of ER/PR expression and EGFR mutation.
Main Results:
- Five studies were included in the meta-analysis.
- High ER-β expression was significantly associated with a higher rate of EGFR mutations (44.2% vs. 23.7%, OR 3.44, P<0.001).
- No significant correlation was found between EGFR mutations and ER-α or PR expression.
Conclusions:
- High nuclear expression of ER-β, but not ER-α or PR, is correlated with EGFR mutations in NSCLC.
- The underlying biological mechanisms require further investigation.
- The potential translational relevance of these findings for NSCLC treatment warrants further study.
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