Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor and its Oncogenic EGFRvIII Variant in Benign and Malignant Brain Tumors

Abstract

Background/aim: Tumorigenesis and cancer progression might be driven by abnormal activation of growth factor receptors. Importantly, molecular changes in EGFR-dependent signaling is one of the most common characteristics of brain tumors.

Patients and methods: HER1 and EGFRvIII variants in meningiomas and glioblastomas were evaluated at the RNA level.

Results: EGFRvIII was found in 18.6% of glioblastomas (GBM), whereas 25% of EGFRvIII positive tumors express wild-type EGFR as well. HER1 was over-expressed in benign meningiomas compared to glioblastomas, whereas HER1 expression in meningiomas differed significantly between sub-types of meningiomas. EGFRvIII and HER1 where positively correlated in glioblastomas. Yet, the patient overall survival did not differ between high- and low-HER1 expressing glioblastomas or between EGFRvIII positive and negative GBMs.

Conclusion: HER1 may be considered as an independent factor for classification of benign meningiomas. The mRNA levels of HER1 or EGFRvIII should not be used as independent prognostic factors for patients with gliomas.

Keywords: EGFRvIII; Glioblastoma; epidermal growth factor receptor; meningioma; survival.