Bladder Cancer Clinical Features Linked to EGFR and HER2 Expression

The overexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) may increase risk of disease progression and recurrence among patients with bladder transitional cell carcinoma (BTCC), according to a retrospective analysis of tissue samples.¹BTCC is the most common bladder cancer malignancy. The study findings were published in Medical Science Monitor.

The researchers obtained 56 human bladder cancer samples and 10 noncancerous bladder samples from the Second Hospital, University of South China, Central South University, Changsha, China. Immunohistochemistry was performed to identify EGFR and HER2 expression levels. The goal was to determine whether EGFR and HER2 expression levels correlated with clinical features of BTCC, including tumor stage, tumor grade, and tumor recurrence.

EGFR expression was significantly higher in bladder cancer samples compared with control samples (P < .05). Thirty-one of 56 bladder cancer samples (55.4%) showed positive EGFR expression, whereas 1 of 10 control samples (10%) showed positive EGFR expression.

Similarly, HER2 expression was significantly higher in bladder cancer samples compared with control samples (P < .05). Twenty-one of 56 bladder cancer samples (37.5%) showed positive HER2 expression, whereas no control samples showed positive HER2 expression. 

Tumor grade, tumor stage, and tumor recurrence were significantly associated with EGFR expression (P < .05). Tumor stage and tumor recurrence were significantly associated with HER-2 expression (P < .05).

“EGFR/HER2 could be a valuable biomarker for progression of bladder cancer, and can contribute to identifying patients who are at increased risk of disease progression and recurrence,” the study authors wrote. “Evaluation of EGFR and HER2 expression can help define the role of these new targeted therapies in treatment of BTCC.”

Reference

1. Li W, Wang Y, Tan S, et al. Overexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and HER-2 in bladder carcinoma and its association with patients’ clinical features. Med Sci Monit. 2018;24:7178-7185.