RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Activated Akt Expression has Significant Correlation with EGFR and TGF-α Expressions in Stage I NSCLC
JF Anticancer Research
JO Anticancer Res
FD International Institute of Anticancer Research
SP 11
OP 18
VO 24
IS 1
A1 TORU MUKOHARA
A1 SHINZOH KUDOH
A1 KUNIOMI MATSUURA
A1 SETSUKO YAMAUCHI
A1 TATSUO KIMURA
A1 NARUO YOSHIMURA
A1 HIROSHI KANAZAWA
A1 KAZUTO HIRATA
A1 KIYOTOSHI INOUE
A1 HIDEKI WANIBUCHI
A1 SHOJI FUKUSHIMA
A1 JUNICHI YOSHIKAWA
YR 2004
UL http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/24/1/11.abstract
AB Background: In vitro studies have indicated that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) may intensify signaling output by the receptor's overexpression, heterodimerization with HER-2, or autocrine expression of ligands. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the correlation between EGFR and its related proteins and to explore the prognostic value of the proteins. Materials and Methods: Immunohistochemical staining of transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-α), EGFR, HER-2, and phosphorylated (p-)Akt was performed in specimens surgically excised from 91 consecutive patients with p-stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Expression or coexpression of TGF-α and the receptors were related to expression of p-Akt. The prognostic impact of these peptides was also tested. Results: TGF-α, EGFR and HER-2 overexpressions were detected in 32%, 79% and 13% of tumors, respectively. Coexpressions of TGF-α & EGFR and EGFR & HER-2 were observed in 29% and 11% of tumors, respectively. P-Akt expression was found in 73% of tumors. Significant correlations between EGFR, TGF-α or coexpression of TGF-α & EGFR and p-Akt expression were found (p=0.006, 0.008 and 0.010, respectively). No proteins examined had an impact on relapse-free survival. Conclusion: The Akt pathway is frequently involved in NSCLC and overexpression of EGFR and autocrine expression of TGF-α may increase the potency of Akt activation.