Alpha Internexin Expression Related with Molecular Characteristics in Adult Glioblastoma and Oligodendroglioma

Alpha-internexin (INA) is a proneuronal gene-encoding neurofilament interacting protein. INA is overexpressed mostly in oligodendroglial phenotype gliomas, is related to 1p/19q codeletion, and is a favorable prognostic marker. We studied INA expression in oligodendrogliomas (ODGs) and glioblastomas (GBMs) to verify its association with several molecular phenotypes, 1p/19q codeletion, and epidermal growth-factor-receptor (EGFR) amplification. A total of 230 low- and high-grade ODG and GBM cases was analyzed for INA expression by immunohistochemical staining; and 1p/19q and EGFR gene status was examined by fluorescence in-situ hybridization. INA was positive in 80.3% of ODGs and in 34.3% of GBMs. 1p/19q codeletion was detected in 77.0% of ODGs and 5.5% of GBMs. INA and 1p/19q codeletion were strongly correlated (P < 0.001). The specificity of INA expression for 1p/19q codeletion was 70.8%, while sensitivity was 100%; positive predictive value was 72.5%, and negative predictive value was 29.2% in all 228 tumors. INA expression was correlated with better progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) (P = 0.001). In conclusion, INA expression has high specificity and sensitivity to predict 1p/19q codeletion, and it is well correlated with PFS of both ODGs and GBMs. Therefore, INA expression could be a simple, reliable, and favorable prognostic and surrogate marker for 1p/19q codeletion and long term survival.

Clinicopathologic Significances of EGFR Expression at Invasive Front of Colorectal Cancer

BACKGROUND: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is frequently expressed in the invasive front of colorectal cancer (CRC), but its clinicopathologic significance remains unclear. We investigated the clinical value of the EGFR expression at the invasive front of CRC. METHODS: We performed an immunohistochemical analysis in order to examine the expression and distribution of EGFR in 214 cases of CRC. The EGFR status was considered positive when > or =1% of the tumor cells had membranous staining. RESULTS: Overall, an EGFR expression was observed in 144 (67%) cases and it had no significant relationship with the clinicopathologic parameters. However, an EGFR expression at the invasive front was correlated with lymphatic invasion, lymph node metastasis and a high level of serum carcinoembryonic antigen (p = 0.028, p = 0.043, and p = 0.045, respectively). For the budding-positive CRCs liver metastases were found in the cases with an EGFR expression at the budding, but no liver metastasis occurred in the EGFR negative cases at the budding (p = 0.030). CONCLUSIONS: An EGFR expression at the invasive front has clinicopathologic significances in patients with CRC. An EGFR expression at tumor cell budding is a pathologic marker that suggests the high potential for liver metastasis in CRC.