Correlation between laminin-5 gamma2 chain and epidermal growth factor receptor expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinomas

Oncology. 2005;69(1):71-80. doi: 10.1159/000087477. Epub 2005 Aug 12.

Abstract

Objectives: Laminin-5 gamma2 chain (LN-5 gamma2) is an extracellular matrix protein that plays an important role in cell migration and tumor invasion. We evaluated the association of LN-5 gamma2 and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

Methods: LN-5 gamma2 and EGFR expression was evaluated in 110 esophageal SCC patients by immunohistochemistry, and was confirmed using esophageal SCC cell lines by Western blot analysis.

Results: LN-5 gamma2 expression in the invasive front of the tumor was correlated with the depth of invasion (p = 0.0001), lymph node metastasis (p = 0.0011) and pathological stage (p = 0.0001). The strong expression of EGFR was also correlated with lymph node metastasis (p = 0.0456) and the pathological stage (p = 0.0055). In patient survival, LN-5 gamma2 positivity and/or strong EGFR expression showed a significantly low survival rate as compared with those with lesser expression of LN-5 gamma2 and EGFR. Immunohistochemically, LN-5 gamma2 expression was significantly correlated with EGFR expression (p < 0.0001). Western blot analysis also confirmed the correlated expression of LN-5 gamma2 and EGFR in SCC cell lines except 2 of the 5 cell lines.

Conclusions: This study suggests that coexpression of LN-5 gamma2 and EGFR is closely related to the progression and poor prognosis of esophageal SCC.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis*
  • Blotting, Western
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / chemistry*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / surgery
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / analysis*
  • ErbB Receptors / analysis*
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / chemistry*
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / surgery
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Kalinin
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Prognosis
  • Survival Analysis

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • ErbB Receptors