A Study on the Expression of Transforming Growth Factor-alpha, Epidermal GrowthFactor and Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor in Thyroid Tumors / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cell proliferation and differentiation are regulated by growth factors and growth factor receptors. Inappropriate expressions of growth factors and altered responsiveness of growth factor receptors may influence the biological and clinical phenotype of tumor. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between the expressions of TGF-alpha, EGF, EGFR and clinical behaviors in thyroid tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The material consisted of 19 papillary carcinomas, 8 follicular carcinomas, 6 anaplastic carcinomas, 8 follicular adenomas and 5 normal thyroid tissues. The authors performed immunohistochemical staining for TGF-alpha, EGF and EGFR. RESULTS: Positive staining for TGF-alpha was found in 84.2% of papillary carcinomas, 100% of follicular carcinomas, 83.3% of anaplastic carcinomas and 25% of follicular adenomas. EGF was positive in 57.8% of papillary carcinomas, 25% of follicular carcinomas, 0% of anaplastic carcinomas and 25% of follicular adenomas. EGFR was positive in 52.6% of papillary carcinomas, 85.7% of follicular carcinomas, 83.3% of anaplastic carcinomas and 75% of follicular adenomas. There was no statistical relationship between regional lymph node metastasis, primary tumor size, patient's age and positive expression rates for TGF-alpha, EGF and EGFR. CONCLUSION: TGF-alpha expression was statistically higher in the malignant thyroid tumors than in benign thyroid tumors. However, the expression of EGFR was shown to be higher in thyroid tumors than in the normal thyroid tissues, but there was no statistical difference between benign and malignant tumors. EGF expressions demonstrated no statistical significance in thyroid tumors.