Epidermal growth factor receptor expression and gene copy number in sinonasal intestinal type adenocarcinoma

Oral Oncol. 2009 Sep;45(9):835-8. doi: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2008.12.005. Epub 2009 Feb 11.

Abstract

Sinonasal intestinal type adenocarcinoma (ITAC) is a rare subtype of adenocarcinoma strongly associated with professional exposure to wood or leather dusts. It is an aggressive tumor, with an estimated 5-year survival of 40%. Herein, we report a series of 55 cases tested for epidermal growth factor receptor protein expression and epidermal growth factor receptor gene copy gains, through immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization. Eighteen tumors (32.7%) showed EGFR positivity, seven of which exhibited high expression levels of the receptor. The frequency of EGF-R overexpression was significantly higher in tumors from woodworkers (6 of 14, 42.8%) than in tumors from leatherworkers (2 of 21, 9.5%), or arising in subjects with no known occupational history (0 of 8) (P=0.015, Pearson chi square). No correlation was found with other clinico-pathological parameters, including histologic subtype, stage, overall, and disease free survival. In cases with EGFR overexpression, fluorescent in situ hybridization analysis revealed disomy in three adenocarcinomas, chromosome 7 polysomy in two, and EGFR gene amplification in three. In conclusion, a subset of ITAC, mostly occurring in woodworkers, express high levels of EGFR and this is often associated with either gene amplification or chromosome 7 polysomy. EGFR targeted therapies could therefore be investigated prospectively in this group of tumors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma* / genetics
  • Adenocarcinoma* / metabolism
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • ErbB Receptors / genetics
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Gene Dosage
  • Genes, erbB-1 / genetics*
  • Humans
  • In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Proteins* / genetics
  • Neoplasm Proteins* / metabolism
  • Nose Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Nose Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Occupational Diseases* / genetics
  • Occupational Diseases* / metabolism
  • Occupational Exposure / adverse effects
  • Paranasal Sinus Neoplasms / genetics
  • Paranasal Sinus Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Wood / adverse effects

Substances

  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • ErbB Receptors