ObjectiveTo investigate the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and its relation with clinicopathologic features. MethodsA computer search of PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang Data, and VIP databases were conducted to select clinical studies on EGFR expression in the TNBC according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and the search period was from database establishment to January 2022. Two researchers independently screened the literature, extracted the data, and evaluated the quality of the literature before conducting meta-analysis using RevMan 5.4 software. ResultsA total of 28 studies including 7 956 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that the positive rate of EGFR expression in the TNBC patients was higher than that in the non-TNBC patients [OR=5.16, 95%CI (4.04, 6.58), P<0.000 01], and the proportions of patients with axillary lymph node metastasis [OR=3.11, 95%CI (1.56, 6.19), P=0.001] and with tumor diameter >2 cm [OR=2.09, 95%CI (1.18, 3.72), P=0.01] in the patients with EGFR positive were higher than those the patients with EGFR negative, no correlation was found that the proportion of patients with histological WHO classification 3 between the patients with EGFR positive expression and EGFR negative expression (P=0.07). ConclusionFrom the results of this meta-analysis, EGFR expression might be associated with the occurrence, development, and metastasis of patients with TNBC.
Objective To investigate the feasibility of detection of epidermal growth factor receptor ( EGFR) exon 19 deletions and exon 21 L858R mutations in pleural effusion fromnon-small-cell lung cancer ( NSCLC) patients by mutant enriched PCR assay. Methods The mutations of exon 19 and 21 of EGFR gene in pleural samples fromthirty NSCLC patients were analyzed using both the mutant-enriched PCR assay and the non-enriched PCR assay. Results Ten ( 33. 3% , 10/ 30) exon 19 deletions and five ( 16. 7% , 5/30) exon 21 L858R mutation were detected by the mutant-enriched PCR assay, while only 6 cases ( 20. 0% ) and 1 case ( 3. 3% ) were detected by the non-enriched PCR assay respectively. The difference of mutation detection rate of EGFR gene between the two methods was statistically significant ( P = 0. 032) . Mutations were detected in all of partial responders ( 2 /4) among the four patients who received gefitinib therapy. Conclusions Mutant-enriched PCR assay can detect EGFR exon 19 deletions and exon 21 L858R mutation in pleural effusion from NSCLC patients effectively, economically and accurately. It may be a valuable biomarker for gefitinib therapy in advanced NSCLC.
ObjectiveTo observe the effects of different concentrations of trastuzumab alone or in combination with oxaliplatin on proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle of SW-620 human colon cancer cell, and to explore its mechanism. MethodsSW-620 human colon cancer cells were cultured in vitro. ① Cell proliferation experiment: the cells were divided into two large groups: trastuzumab group and trastuzumab combined with oxaliplatin group. There were eight concentration groups in each large group (five holes for each group). The concentration of the trastuzumab group was 0, 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10, 100, and 1 000 μg/mL, corresponding to the trastuzumab combined with oxaliplatin group. The concentration of the antibiotic was the same as before, except that oxaliplatin (10 μmol/L) was added. The absorbance (A) value of each group was measured by CCK-8 method. ② Apoptosis experiment: the same proliferation experiment was performed in the group, except that the concentrations of trastuzumab only included 0, 0.1, 1 and 10 μg/mL. Flow cytometry was used to detect the proportion of apoptotic cells and cell cycle distribution in each group. ③ Determination of human epidermalgrowth factor receptor-2 (her-2). The SW-620 cells were divided into two large groups, the concentration of trastuzumab group concluded 0, 100, and 1 000 μg/mL, as well as the concentration of trastuzumab in the trastuzumab combined with oxaliplatin group concluded 0, 1, and 10 μg/mL. Expressions of her-2 protein in SW-620 cells were detected by Western blot method. Results① Cell proliferation assay: the A values at100 μg/mL and 1 000 μg/mL were significantly lower than that at 0 μg/mL (P<0.05). At the same concentration, the A value of the trastuzumab combined with oxaliplatin group was lower than that of the trastuzumab group (P<0.05 ), and the A value gradually decreased with the increase of the concentration of trastuzumab. ② Apoptosis experiment: the proportion of apoptotic cells in the trastuzumab combined with oxaliplatin group was higher than that in the trastuzumab group (P<0.05) at the same concentration of trastuzumab. Flow cytometry: after treatment with different concentrations of trastuzumab combined with oxaliplatin, cells in G1 phase showed a downward trend, and cells in S phase showed an upward trend in a dose-dependent manner. At 1 and 10 μg/mL concentration of trastuzumab, the trastuzumab combined with oxaliplatin group significantly reduced the proportion of cells in the G1 phase of SW-620 cell cycle compared with the trastuzumab group, but S phase ratio was higher (P<0.05). The proportion of G2 phase cells was significantly higher in the trastuzumab combined with oxaliplatin group than the trastuzumab group at 0.1, 1 and 10 μg/mL concentrations of trastuzumab (P<0.01). ③ Expressions of her-2 protein: the expression level of her-2 protein gradually decreased at 1, 100, and 1 000 μg/mL trastuzumab group (P<0.05). The expression levels of her-2 protein in 0, 1 and 10 μg/mL trastuzumab combined with oxaliplatin group also gradually decreased (P<0.01). ConclusionsHigh concentration of trastuzumab can inhibit the proliferation of SW-620 human colon cancer cells and induce apoptosis. Trastuzumab combined with oxaliplatin has synergistic effect on inhibiting cell proliferation and promoting apoptosis.
The incidence and mortality of esophageal cancer in China rank the fifth and fourth, respectively, with squamous carcinoma accounting for more than 90%. Currently, the treatment of esophageal squamous carcinoma mainly includes surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and endoscopic treatment. However, the 5-year survival rate is only about 20%. At present, the treatment of esophageal squamous carcinoma seems to reach a plateau. Thus, it is urgent to develop new and more effective drugs and treatments. In this paper, the clinical research progresses of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)- targeted therapy of esophageal squamous carcinomas were summarized, including anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies, such as cetuximab and nimotuzumab, and EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor, such as gefitinib, erlotinib, and ecclinib.
Objective To explore the effects of prolonged inhalation of Aspergillus fumigatus ( Af)spores on epithelial cell injury and expression of epidermal growth factor receptor( EGFR) in airways of asthmatic rats. Methods 64 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 8 groups, ie. chronic asthma group ( group A) , chronic asthma plus Af spores inhalation for 1 week ( group B) , 3 weeks ( group C) and 5 weeks ( group D) , chronic asthma plus saline inhalation for 5 weeks ( group E) , OVA-sensitized and salinechallenged group ( group F) , and OVA-sensitized and saline-challenged plus Af spores inhalation for 5 weeks ( group G) ( each n =8) . The airway resistance ( Raw) and change of Raw after acetylcholine provocation were detected using a computerized system. The concentrations of epidermal growth factor ( EGF) andtransforming growth factor alpha( TGF-α) in BALF were measured by ELISA. The extents of epithelial cell injury and goblet cell hyperplasia were evaluated on hematoxylin and eosin-stained( HE) and periodic acidschiff ( PAS) stained lung sections. The expression of EGFR in airway epithelia was demonstrated byimmunohistochemistry, and the level of EGFR protein in the rat lung tissues was measured by western blot.Results The concentration of EGF( pg/mL) ( 51. 72 ±8. 54, 68. 12 ±7. 85, 86. 24 ±9. 12, respectively)and TGF-α( pg/mL) ( 55. 26 ±9. 30, 75. 58 ±11. 56, 96. 75 ±14. 66, respectively) , detached/ inner perimeter of epithelium( % ) ( 11. 25 ±3. 12, 26. 45 ±5. 56, 28. 50 ±7. 50, respectively) , the ratio of goblet cell area to epithelial cell area ( % ) ( 16. 42 ±5. 24, 22. 64 ±6. 82, 36. 38 ±9. 21, respectively) , the integrated optical density ( IOD) of EGFR positive stain in airway epithelial cells ( 82 ±15,120 ±19, 165 ±21, respectively) , and the EGFR protein levels in lung tissues ( 0. 91 ±0. 26, 1. 61 ±0. 52, 2. 52 ±0. 78,respectively) in group B, C, and D were higher than those in group A, E, F and G( P lt; 0. 05 or P lt;0. 01) .The change rates of Raw( % ) ( 61. 91 ±5. 26, 84. 69 ±6. 38) in group C and D were higher than those in group A, E, F and G ( P lt; 0. 05 or P lt;0. 01) . The IOD of EGFR was positively correlated with detached/inner perimeter of epithelium( % ) and the ratio of goblet cell area to epithelial cell area( % ) ( r = 0. 692,P lt;0. 01; r = 0. 657, P lt; 0. 01, respectively) . Conclusion Prolonged inhalation of Aspergillus fumigatus spores can aggravate airway epithelial cell injury, up-regulate the expression of EGFR in airway epithelial cell and induce goblet cell hyperplasia, thus increase the airway responsiveness in rats with chronic asthma.
ObjectiveTo explore the relationship of the clinicopathological characteristics of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with the mutations of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), K-ras and EML4-ALK fusion gene in cell blocks of pleural effusion (PLE). MethodsA total of 268 cytological specimens of PLE (pleural effusion), from Central Hospital of Zibo city were collected from advanced NSCLC patients between January 2012 year and June 2014 year. There were 165 male and 103 female patients at age of 53.6 (31-76) years. Qualitative diagnosis has been made in the 268 patients using PLE samples with conventional smear. Immunohistochemical staining combined with cell block section were used for further classification. There were 76 patients diagnosed as NSCLC with 39 patients of adenocarcinoma and 37 patients of squamous-cell carcinoma. In the 76 patients of lung biopsy specimens and PLE, EGFR and K-ras mutations, EML4-ALK fusions were tested. ResultsEGFR mutations rate was 34.21% (26/76). K-ras mutations rate was 6.58% (5/76). EML4-ALK fusions rate was 7.89% (6/76) at the same time. EGFR and K-ras mutations, EML4-ALK fusions were mostly found in young female adenocarcinoma patients who were non-smokers. EGFR and K-ras mutations or EML4-ALK fusions were not found in the same patient. ConclusionCytological specimens are feasible for detecting EGFR were K-ras mutations and EML4-ALK fusions. This will especially benefit to patients whose histological specimen can not be obtained.
The resistance of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) has been brought into focus. COX-2 signal pathway was found to be closely related to EGFR signal pathway by recent researches, and there has been a growing interest to focus the researches on whether COX-2 pathway inhibition improves the efficacy of EGFR-TKIs in treating advanced NSCLC. In this review, we will illustrate recent advances of combined inhibition of EGFR and COX-2 signal pathways in NSCLC therapy.
ObjectiveTo analyze the clinicopathologic characteristics and prognosis of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer patients with different expression status of estrogen receptor (ER). MethodsThe patients with HER2-negative breast cancer met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were treated in the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019 were retrospectively collected, and then were assigned into 3 groups according to the ER expression status: ER-negative (ER expression positive rate <1%) group, ER-low expression (ER expression positive rate 1%–10%) group, and ER expression positive rate >10% group. The differences of clinicopathologic characteristics, therapy, and prognosis among the 3 groups were compared. And the risk factors affecting recurrence and metastasis of patients with ER-low expression were analyzed by Cox proportional hazards regression model. ResultsA total of 610 patients with HER2-negative breast cancer were included in this study, including 130 patients in the ER-negative group, 48 patients in the ER-low expression group, and 432 patients in the ER expression positive rate >10% group. The Bonferroni method was used to correct the test level after pairwise comparison, it was found that the histological grade was later (P<0.001, P=0.023) and the Ki-67 expression was higher (P<0.001, P=0.023) in the ER-negative group and ER-low expression group as compared with the ER expression positive rate >10% group; The proportion of the patients receiving chemotherapy in the ER-negative group was higher than that of the ER expression positive rate >10% group (χ2=10.310, P=0.001), while which had no statistical difference between the ER-low expression group and the ER-negative group or the ER expression positive rate >10% group (Fisher exact probability method, P=1.000; χ2= 3.585, P=0.058); The proportion of patients receiving endocrine therapy in the ER-low expression group was higher than that in the ER-negative group (χ2=36.333, P<0.001) and lower than the ER expression positive rate >10% group (χ2=246.996, P<0.001). The difference in disease-free survival (DFS) curves among 3 groups was statistically significant (χ2=46.805, P<0.001); There were no statistical differences in the overall survival (OS) curve and DFS curve between the ER-negative group and the ER-low expression group (Two stage test, P=0.786; χ2=1.141, P=0.286), and which in the ER expression positive rate >10% group were significantly better than thoses in the ER-negative group (χ2=10.137, P=0.001; χ2=39.344, P<0.001) and the ER-low expression group (χ2=4.075, P=0.044; χ2=31.911, P<0.001). The results of multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis showed that N1 and N2 [N0 as reference: RR (95%CI)=7.740 (1.939, 30.897), P=0.004; RR (95%CI)=9.513 (1.990, 45.478), P=0.005) and T3 [T1 as reference: RR (95%CI)=27.357 (2.188, 342.041), P=0.010] increased the probabilities of recurrence and metastasis HER2-negative breast cancer patients with ER-low expression. ConclusionsAccording to results of this study, patients with HER2-negative breast cancer showed certain differences in histological grade and Ki-67 expression among patients with three different ER expression status, but no statistical difference is found between ER-low expression and ER-negative breast cancer, and the prognoses of both are worse than that of ER expression positive rate >10% breast cancer patients. Lymph node metastasis and larger tumor are risk factors affecting recurrence and metastasis in ER-low expression breast cancer patients.
ObjectiveTo analyze the clinicopathologic features and prognosis of breast cancer patients with low human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) expression. MethodsThe breast cancer patients underwent initially surgical resection in the First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from October 2015 to October 2017 and met the criterion of this study were retrospectively gathered. Based on the immunohistochemical / in situ hybridization detection results, the patients were divided into three subtypes of HER2 zero, low, and positive expressions, and the differences in the clinicopathologic characteristics, overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) of the three subtypes of breast cancer patients were compared. At the same time, the risk factors affecting the OS and DFS of breast cancer patients with low HER2 expression were analyzed. ResultsA total of 315 eligible patients were gathered in this study, including 68 patients with HER2 zero expression, 121 patients with low HER2 expression, and 126 patients with positive HER2 expression. There were no statistic differences in the menstrual status, T stage, and histological classification between the breast cancer patients with low HER2 and positive HER2 expressions (P>0.05), but the proportions of the patients with lymph node metastasis, histological grade Ⅲ, negative hormone receptor (HR) and high Ki67 expression in the low HER2 expression patients were lower than those in the positive HER2 expression patients. And compared with HER2 zero expression breast cancer patients, the proportions of premenopausal / perimenopausal, T2–4, N1–3, histological grade Ⅱ, ductal carcinoma, negative HR, and low Ki67 expression patients in the breast cancer patients with low HER2 expression were higher (P<0.05). While the survival curves of OS and DFS by Kaplan-Meier method had no statistic differences among the three subtypes of the breast cancer patients (χ2=0.070, P=0.966; χ2=0.362, P=0.835). The multivariate analysis results by Cox proportional hazards regression found that the low HER2 expression breast cancer patients with histological grade Ⅲ and negative HR had the higher risks of OS and DFS shortening (P<0.05). In addition, the risk of DFS shortening in the patients with T stage 2–4 and N stage 1–3 was increased (P<0.05). ConclusionsFrom the results of this study, breast cancer patients with low HER2 expression is different from the other two subtypes of breast cancer in terms of clinicopathologic characteristics. However, there are no statistical significances in comparing the OS and DFS of three types of breast cancer patients, but it is found that histological grading and HR are related to the OS and DFS of breast cancer patients with low HER2 expression, and it is also found that T stage and N stage are related to the DFS of breast cancer patients with low HER2 expression, so more attentions should be paid to the treatment plans.