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Epidermal growth factor receptor expression in oligodendroglial tumors
J Reifenberger1, G Reifenberger, K Ichimura
1Department of Neuropathology, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany.
The American Journal of Pathology
|July 1, 1996
Summary
Increased epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene and protein expression is common in oligodendrogliomas. This overexpression in brain tumors is typically not due to gene amplification.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Genetics
Background:
- Oligodendrogliomas are primary brain tumors.
- Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is implicated in various cancers.
- The role of EGFR in oligodendroglioma pathogenesis is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the frequency of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene amplification and mRNA expression in oligodendrogliomas (WHO grade II) and anaplastic oligodendrogliomas (WHO grade III).
- To determine the correlation between EGFR gene alterations and protein expression in these tumors.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 13 oligodendrogliomas and 20 anaplastic oligodendrogliomas.
- Gene amplification assessed using molecular techniques.
- EGFR mRNA expression quantified by Northern blot analysis.
- EGFR protein levels evaluated by immunohistochemistry.
Main Results:
- EGFR gene amplification was rare, observed in only one anaplastic oligodendroglioma.
- Increased EGFR mRNA expression was detected in 6/13 oligodendrogliomas and 10/18 anaplastic oligodendrogliomas.
- All cases with elevated mRNA expression demonstrated strong EGFR protein immunoreactivity.
Conclusions:
- Increased expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mRNA and protein is a frequent event in both low-grade and high-grade oligodendroglial tumors.
- The overexpression of EGFR in these brain tumors is generally not driven by gene amplification.
- EGFR may play a significant role in the development and progression of oligodendrogliomas.