Expression of EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor) and C-KIT in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Abstract

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is the most common head and neck cancers in Thailand. Although several genetic changes related to NPC have been identified, radiation or chemoradiation still plays an important role in the treatment. The recent development of new anti-cancer agents directed at specific signaling pathways has prompted the researchers to examine the expression of EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) and C-KIT (CD117) in Thai patients with NPC. Immunohistochemical method was used to evaluate expression of the proteins in 55 NPC samples retrieved from pathology files at the Institute of Pathology, Department of Medical Services and the Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University during 2003-2004. Fifty-two (95%) and twelve (22%) cases were immunoreactive with EGFR and C-KIT, respectively. No correlation was found between expressions of the two markers. NPC patients with positive specific signaling protein(s) may be eligible for the new anti-cancer treatments, but further studies are needed to determine the actual benefit of such medications.