The role of epidermal growth factor receptor in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in Thai patients

Background: EGFR, a member of the type 1 tyrosine kinase family of receptors, plays a crucial role in several types of cancer especially in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC). Objective: This study aims to determine the frequency of EGFR overexpression in HNSCC and to find a possible correlation with various clinical pathological parameters and patient outcomes. Materials and Methods: Fresh cancerous tissue samples and matched normal mucosa were collected from 78 previously untreated HNSCC patients after obtaining informed consent. All patients had no detectable distant metastases at presentation. EGFR mRNA expression was examined using quantitative real-time RT-PCR analysis. Data were correlated with both clinicopathological characteristics and survival outcome. Results: Overexpression of EGFR mRNA was found in 21 of 78 patients. EGFR expression was significantly correlated with lower overall survival. Conclusion: EGFR expression plays an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of HNSCC.