Epidermal growth factor receptor expression in feline oral squamous cell carcinomas

• Published in: Veterinary & comparative oncology Vol. 4; no. 1; pp. 33 - 40
• Main Authors: Looper, J.S, Malarkey, D.E, Ruslander, D, Proulx, D, Thrall, D.E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK; Malden, USA Oxford, UK; Malden, USA : Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.03.2006; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: cat diseases; cats; epidermal growth factor; epidermal growth factor receptor; feline; immunohistochemistry; mouth; oral squamous cell carcinoma; protein synthesis; receptors; squamous cell carcinoma; tyrosine kinase inhibitors
• ISSN: 1476-5810; 1476-5829
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-5810.2006.00091.x

Feline oral squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) have a poor prognosis despite aggressive treatment with surgery, radiation and anticancer drugs. Overexpression of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a membrane-bound tyrosine kinase receptor, has been found in many human epithelial neoplasms, including oral SCC. EGFR overexpression has been associated with advanced disease and a poor prognosis. The purpose of this study was to determine whether feline oral SCC express EGFR. Thirteen formalin-fixed paraffin wax-embedded biopsy samples from feline oral SCC were analysed for EGFR expression using immunohistochemistry. Nine of 13 tumours (69%) were positive for EGFR expression, suggesting that altered EGFR expression plays a role in feline oral SCC and provides a rationale for a potential clinical benefit using EGFR inhibitors in combination with conventional treatments.