Membrane-bound estrogen receptor-α expression and epidermal growth factor receptor mutation are associated with a poor prognosis in lung adenocarcinoma patients

• Main Authors: Shimizu Katsuhiko, Hirami Yuji, Saisho Shinsuke, Yukawa Takuro, Maeda Ai, Yasuda Koichiro, Nakata Masao
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2012-07-01
• Series: World Journal of Surgical Oncology
• Subjects: Membrane-bound estrogen receptor-α; Epidermal growth factor receptor mutation; Lung adenocarcinoma
• Online Access: http://www.wjso.com/content/10/1/141

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The purpose of this study is to clarify the correlations between the expression of membrane-bound estrogen receptor-α (mERα) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation and clinicopathological factors, especially in relation to the prognosis, in patients with lung adenocarcinoma.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We conducted a retrospective review of the data of 51 lung adenocarcinoma patients with tumors measuring less than 3 cm in diameter. Immunohistochemical staining for mERα expression and detection of the <it>EGFR</it> mutation status were performed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Among the 51 patients, the tumors in 15 showed both mERα expression and <it>EGFR</it> mutation. ("double positive") Significant associations between "double positive" and vascular invasion, vascular endothelial growth factor expression, and Ki-67 expression were observed. A multivariate analysis revealed that only "double positive" was an independent risk factor influencing the recurrence-free survival.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Presence of mERα expression together with <it>EGFR</it> mutation was found to be an independent prognostic factor for survival in patients with lung adenocarcinoma, suggesting cross-talk between mERα and <it>EGFR</it> mutation.</p>