EGFR polysomy in squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid. Report of two cases and review of the literature
- Resource Type
- Authors
- Giuliana Zanelli; Laura Schirosi; Livia Maccio; Margherita Trani; N. Trani; Luca Reggiani Bonetti; Giuliana Sartori; Stefania Bettelli; M. Lupi; Antonio Maiorana
- Source
- Scopus-Elsevier
ResearcherID
- Subject
- Oncology
Cancer Research
medicine.medical_specialty
medicine.medical_treatment
Biology
Malignancy
Receptor tyrosine kinase
030218 nuclear medicine & medical imaging
03 medical and health sciences
0302 clinical medicine
Internal medicine
medicine
Humans
EGFR
thyroid
squamous cell carcinoma
Thyroid Neoplasms
Epidermal growth factor receptor
In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence
Aged
Cell Proliferation
Aged, 80 and over
Polysomy
Cell growth
Thyroid
General Medicine
Aneuploidy
medicine.disease
Immunohistochemistry
Up-Regulation
ErbB Receptors
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
Radiation therapy
medicine.anatomical_structure
030220 oncology & carcinogenesis
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell
biology.protein
Female
- Language
Aims and background Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid gland (PSCCT) is an uncommon malignancy characterized by a poor prognosis. A radical surgical approach combined with radiotherapy or chemotherapy is the generally accepted treatment for this tumor. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptor modulating the cell proliferation and biological progression of many human epithelial tumors. The EGFR overexpression in PSCCT suggests an additional therapeutic option for the treatment of this tumor. Methods and study design The clinicopathological features and immunohistochemical profiles of two cases of primary squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid in a 66-year-old and an 83-year-old woman are presented. EGFR status was valued in both cases. Results Overexpression of EGFR protein was detected in 50% and 75% of the tumor cell membranes. EGRF gene polysomy was detected in both tumors. Conclusions Pharmaceuticals targeting EGFR may help to provide the rationale for an additional, novel therapeutic option for this rare tumor, especially when other therapeutic options have been exhausted.