EGFR overexpression relates to triple negative profile and poor prognosis in breast cancer patients in Tunisia

Abstract

EGFR overexpression was observed in 28.6% of Tunisian breast carcinoma, associated with unfavorable prognosis and with triple negative tumors. Systemically evaluation of EGFR in breast carcinoma could benefit especially to TN subgroup from EGFR targeting agents.

First report on molecular breast cancer subtypes and their clinico-pathological characteristics in Eastern Morocco: series of 2260 cases

“…This result is similar to those reported in other North African countries, Iraq, Sub-Saharan Africa, Korea, China, and Taiwan [18, 24–32]. However, in Western countries and other Arab and Asian countries breast cancer occurs at an older age [26, 27, 33–36]. The age at diagnosis represents an important prognostic factor since tumors diagnosed at younger ages are generally more aggressive and/or less responsive to treatment [37–39].…”

What common biomarkers characterize a triple-negative profile in breast cancer?

“…In our previous studies, we found that a percentage of triplenegative profile was around 13 to 17% of Tunisian women [27,28]. Dent et al [29] and Tischkowitz et al [30] showing a rate of 10 to 14% of TNBC in their sample study (Table 1).…”

“…However, some recent studies have shown that the expression of this oncogenic protein varies between TNBC and non-TNBC [28,75]. In fact, in our recent study we have shown that the TNBC expresses less Bcl2 than non-TNBC and it is associated with high tumors grade and bad survival [28].…”

“…Several studies linked TNBC to EGFR expression, and percentages ranging from 42 to 71% were found [11,52]. In our previous study, we mention that EGFR was expressed in a proximity to 65% of TNBC in Tunisian patient [28]. A high EGFR expression and high rate of proliferation may recommend that patients with basal-like breast carcinomas will benefit from two types of treatment as tyrosine kinase inhibitors (i.e., gefitinib, erlotinib) and/or by monoclonal antibodies, EGFR inhibitors (i.e., cetuximab), that can represent important therapeutic options in the treatment of TNBC [53].…”

“…However, some recent studies have shown that the expression of this oncogenic protein varies between TNBC and non-TNBC [28,75]. In fact, in our recent study we have shown that the TNBC expresses less Bcl2 than non-TNBC and it is associated with high tumors grade and bad survival [28]. All of these results have allowed suggesting that the Bcl2 protein may be used as an independent prognostic biomarker and may be included combination with the three already famous biomarkers (ER, PR and HER2) to define a quadruple negative profile.…”