Overexpression and activation of epidermal growth factor receptor in hemangioblastomas

J Neurooncol. 2010 Sep;99(2):195-200. doi: 10.1007/s11060-010-0125-9. Epub 2010 Feb 22.

Abstract

Hemangioblastomas frequently develop in patients with von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease, an autosomal dominant genetic disorder. The tumors are characterized by a dense network of blood capillaries, often in association with cysts. Although activation of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling, including epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been implicated in the development of malignant brain tumors such as high-grade gliomas, little is known about the role of RTK signaling in hemangioblastomas. To address this issue, we examined hemangioblastoma tumor specimens using receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) activation profiling and immunohistochemistry. Six human hemangioblastomas were analyzed with a phospho-RTK antibody array, revealing EGFR phosphorylation in all tumors. EGFR expression was confirmed by immunohistochemistry in all tumors analyzed and downstream effector pathway activation was demonstrated by positive staining for phospho-AKT. Our findings suggest that, in primary hemangioblastomas, RTK upregulation and signaling predominantly involves EGFR, providing an attractive molecular target for therapeutic intervention.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cerebellar Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Cerebellar Neoplasms / pathology
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Hemangioblastoma / metabolism*
  • Hemangioblastoma / pathology
  • Humans
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques
  • Male
  • Phosphorylation
  • Prognosis
  • Protein Array Analysis
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / pathology
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • EGFR protein, human
  • ErbB Receptors