Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression in the serum of patients with triple-negative breast carcinoma: prognostic value of this biomarker

Abstract

Background: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) overexpression has been considered a poor prognostic factor in breast cancer.Methodology: A prospective study of 206 women with breast cancer analysed by stages (I, II, III and IV) and by immunohistochemical subtype (Luminal A, Luminal B, HER2+ and triple-negative (TN)); 89 healthy controls with normal recent mammography were included. The EGFR measured in the serum (sEGFR) was detected by the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method (R&D Systems kit DY231) collected by blood before any treatment in patients. Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression were carried out to obtain the prognostic value, considering significance if p < 0.05.Results: With a median follow-up of 36.6 months, 47 deaths occurred. Multivariable Cox regression showed difference of overall survival (OS) associated with sEGFR levels (sEGFR ≤ or > 47.8 ng/mL) in patients with TN cancers, but not of Luminal A, Luminal B or HER2+ subtypes; adjusted by stage, the death risk increased by approximately 415% [hazard ratio (HR): 5.149 (1.900-13.955), p = 0.001] for patients with sEGFR > 47.8 ng/mL compared to patients with a lower sEGFR value. There was no significant correlation of sEGFR with staging, histological tumour grade (G1/ G2/G3), Ki67 (< or ≥14%) or body mass index.Conclusions: Increased sEGFR expression in patients with TN tumours is a significant predictor of lower OS and its quantification is inexpensive and straightforward.

Targeting Receptor Tyrosine Kinases as a Novel Strategy for the Treatment of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

“… 59 The expression of EGFR is elevated in TNBC compared to luminal tumors. 60 , 61 The expression of EGFR varied between 13% and 78% in TNBC. 62 Besides, activating EGFR mutations, exon 19 deletions and exon 21 missense (L858R), were found in 11.4% of patients with triple-negative tumor samples.…”

Identification of 3‐(5‐cyano‐6‐oxo‐pyridin‐2‐yl)benzenesulfonamides as novel anticancer agents endowed with EGFR inhibitory activity

“…[7][8][9] In addition, about 80% of cervical carcinomas express EGFR, which is linked to the development of the disease. [10,11] The EGFR affects gene transcription, promoting resistance to treatment by boosting proliferation and minimizing DNA damage from chemotherapy, thus, it represents a valuable therapeutic target [12] The EGFR is intensely recycled during endocytosis and has the potential to internalize in cell nuclei. [13] A wide range of EGFR inhibitor combinations, including neratinib (Figure 1), has been successfully tested in triple-negative breast cancer, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) cells in vitro and in vivo; although, the majority of them have yet to be clinically assessed.…”