Hyperproduction and gene amplification of the epidermal growth factor receptor in squamous cell carcinomas.

Human squamous cell carcinoma tissue was screened to determine the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor level. In 9 out of 15 cases, increased EGF binding was observed relative to normal adjacent tissue. In two tissue samples (SCE1 and SCL1), amplification of the EGF receptor gene and increased mRNA level were also observed. In two other cases (SCE2 and SCL3), EGF receptor gene amplification did not occur. We propose that there is an alternative mechanism for EGF receptor hyperproduction, independent of gene content, active in these tissues. A possible role of EGF receptor hyperproduction is envisioned in human neoplasia.