Epidermal growth factor receptor variant III in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is not relevant for targeted therapy and irradiation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is an important regulator of cell growth and survival, and is highly variable in tumor cells. The most prevalent variation of the EGFR extracellular domain is the EGFR variant III (EGFRvIII). Some studies imply that EGFRvIII may be responsible for the poor response to the monoclonal EGFR-antibody Cetuximab, used therapeutically in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Due to inconsistent data in the literature regarding EGFRvIII prevalence and clinical relevance in HNSCC, especially its predictive value, we examined EGFRvIII-transfected cell lines and patient tissue samples.

Results

In contrast to other recent publications, we were able to demonstrate EGFRvIII expression in HNSCC. However, we noted that the diff

SUBMITTER: Thomas Koch D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5464818 | biostudies-literature | 2017 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature