DETECTION OF EPIDERMAL GROWTH-FACTOR RECEPTOR IN THE SERUM OF GASTRIC-CARCINOMA PATIENTS

BACKGROUND. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is overexpressed i n various malignancies including carcinoma of the breast, lung, esopha gus, cervix, and stomach. In patients with gastric carcinoma, its over expression may be associated with advanced stage and poor prognosis. M ETHODS. The levels of EGFR extracellular domain were determined in ser um from 40 gastric carcinoma patients using enzyme-linked immunosorben t assay. Serum EGFR levels were measured in 5 Stage I, 2 Stage II, 6 S tage III, and 27 Stage IV patients, and 29 healthy controls. RESULTS. The mean serum level for EGFR in the gastric carcinoma patients was si gnificantly elevated compared with that of healthy controls (681 +/- 2 26 fmol/mL vs. 440 +/- 46 fmol/mL; P < 0.0001). Thirty-one patients wi th gastric carcinoma (77.5%) showed elevated EGFR levels above a cutof f value of 532 fmol/mL (defined as 2 standard deviations above the mea n of the controls). No significant association was noted between posit ivity of EGFR and gender, age, stage, and tumor differentiation. CONCL USIONS. The authors believe that serum EGFR could be useful as a tumor marker of gastric carcinoma for diagnosis, prognosis, follow-up after surgery, and monitoring patient response to chemotherapy. (C) 1997 Am erican Cancer Society.