Epidermal growth factor receptor protein expression and genomic alterations in renal cell carcinoma

Abstract

Background: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is involved in the progression of many cancer types and represents an important therapeutic target. Methods: To determine the role of EGFR in renal cell carcinoma (RCC), the authors analyzed 1088 tumors in a tissue microarray format by using immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). A subset of 63 cancers was sequenced for EGFR exon 18 through 21 mutations. Results: EGFR expression was observed in 83.8% of clear cell carcinomas, in 68.2% of papillary carcinomas, in 75% of chromophobe carcinomas, and in 50% of oncocytomas. Within clear cell carcinomas, the expression level of EGFR was associated with high tumor grade (P