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Sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma and EGFR mutations: a molecular footprint of a benign lesion
Author(s) -
Sasaki Eiichi,
Nishikawa Daisuke,
Hanai Nobuhiro,
Hasegawa Yasuhisa,
Yatabe Yasushi
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
histopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.626
H-Index - 124
eISSN - 1365-2559
pISSN - 0309-0167
DOI - 10.1111/his.13732
Subject(s) - kras , cancer research , pathology , mutation , epidermal growth factor receptor , medicine , head and neck squamous cell carcinoma , oncogene , papilloma , cancer , cell , head and neck , head and neck cancer , biology , gene , cell cycle , colorectal cancer , biochemistry , surgery , genetics
Aims Molecular targeted therapy against EGFR kinase domain mutations has been successfully established for lung cancer. These mutations have now also been reported in head and neck tumours, particularly in inverted sinonasal papillomas ( ISP s). The aim of this study was to clarify the spectrum of EGFR mutations in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas and papillomas. Methods and results We examined EGFR mutations in 288 head and neck squamous cell carcinomas and 58 head and neck papillomas or polyps. EGFR mutations were detected in 24 (30%) of 80 sinonasal squamous cell carcinomas ( SNSCC s) and in 19 (90%) of 21 ISP s. Notably, 15 (88%) of 17 SNSCC s that developed along with ISP s harboured EGFR mutations in both components, whereas EGFR mutations were detected in nine (14%) of 63 SNSCC s without any papilloma component. Analysis to detect other known driver oncogene mutations – KRAS , BRAF and HER 2 – was also performed; none of these mutations was detected in SNSCC s. The other 208 non‐sinonasal carcinomas and 37 non‐ ISP head and neck papillomas or polyps did not harbour EGFR mutations. Conclusions Taken together with the specific involvement of EGFR mutations in ISP , a molecular benign lesion trail suggests that 26 (33%) of 80 SNSCC s developed in association with an ISP . SNSCC s with EGFR mutations may be biologically distinct among head and neck cancers.