Open AccessExpression of Activated Epidermal Growth Factor Receptors, Ras-Guanosine Triphosphate, and Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase in Human Glioblastoma Multiforme Specimens
Author(s) -
Matthias M. Feldkamp,
Prateek Lala,
Nelson C. Lau,
Luba Roncari,
Abhijit Guha
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
neurosurgery/neurosurgery online
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.485
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1081-1281
pISSN - 0148-396X
DOI - 10.1097/00006123-199912000-00034
Subject(s) - immunohistochemistry , epidermal growth factor receptor , medicine , cancer research , glioma , protein kinase a , signal transduction , kinase , epidermal growth factor , mapk/erk pathway , microbiology and biotechnology , receptor , pathology , biology
Amplification of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a common event in the molecular pathogenesis of high-grade astrocytic tumors, occurring in 50% of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cases. A subset of GBMs also express a constitutively phosphorylated truncated receptor (EGFRvIII). Expression of transfected EGFRvIII in cells has been reported to activate the Ras-mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway and to provide a growth advantage. Novel therapeutic agents targeting signal transduction pathways are entering early clinical trials; determination of which GBMs express EGFRvIII might help identify patients who might benefit from these biological agents.