Combined overexpression of EGFR and estrogen receptor alpha correlates with a poor outcome in lung cancer.

BACKGROUND The aim of the present study was to determine the prognostic significance of the combined overexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and estrogen receptor a (ER-alpha) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS An immunohistochemical assessment of EGFR and ER-alpha expression was carried out in tumor specimens from 122 consecutive NSCLC patients after surgery. RESULTS Of the 122 tumors examined, 57 (46.7%) overexpressed EGFR, 63 (51.6%) overexpressed ER-alpha, while 33 (27%) overexpressed both EGFR and ER-alpha. Univariate analyses showed that the overexpression of EGFR or ER-alpha correlated with the histological grade (p = 0.01 and p = 0.03, respectively) and a poorer prognosis (p = 0.007), while overexpression of ER-alpha also correlated with smoking (p = 0.02). Multivariate analysis showed the combined overexpression of EGFR and ER-alpha to be an independent indicator of poorer prognosis (p = 0.0006). CONCLUSION The combined overexpression of EGFR and ER-alpha in NCLSC patients is predictive of poor outcome and, thus, represents a valuable prognostic factor.