OBJECTIVE

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.

METHODS

A cohort of 15 flash-frozen surgical specimens (12 GBMs, 2 gliosarcomas, and 1 adult low-grade glioma) were evaluated for EGFR and EGFRvIII expression and for EGFR activation status using immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis, Western blotting, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assays. Levels of activated Ras-guanosine triphosphate were measured using a nonradioactive luciferase-based technique. Mitogen-activated protein kinase activation was determined using a myelin basic protein assay. IHC analysis was performed on paraffin-embedded, formalin-fixed, pathological specimens. Normal control samples included white matter specimens distal to tumors (n = 5), a sample obtained during a lobectomy for treatment of epilepsy (n = 1), and cultured fetal human astrocytes (n = 1).

RESULTS

We demonstrated higher levels of activated Ras and mitogen-activated protein kinase in GBM specimens, compared with normal brain tissue or the low-grade glioma. There was a very good correlation between results obtained using specialized molecular techniques and those obtained using routine IHC techniques. Screening for EGFRvIII expression may be of prognostic importance, because patients with EGFRvIII-positive tumors exhibited shorter life expectancies (mean survival time for patients with EGFRvIII-positive tumors, 4.5 +/- 0.6 mo; mean survival time for patients with EGFRvIII-negative tumors, 11.2 +/- 0.9 mo).

CONCLUSION

We demonstrated that routine IHC techniques using commercially available antibodies are capable of identifying which GBM specimens express EGFRvIII and whether the EGFRs are activated. Such a molecular classification of GBMs might allow us to determine which patients might benefit from biologically targeted therapies. In addition, characterization of specimens with respect to their EGFRvIII status seems to be of prognostic value.