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Overexpression of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Restricted to Macrophages in Uveal Melanoma
Andrea G. M. Scholes, PhD;
Suzanne Hagan, BSc;
Paul Hiscott, MRCPath;
Bertil E. Damato, PhD;
Ian Grierson, PhD
Arch Ophthalmol. 2001;119:373-377.
Objective To determine whether expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor
(EGFR) is of prognostic value in uveal melanoma.
Methods Thirty consecutive patients treated for primary posterior uveal melanoma
by enucleation or local resection were studied. Tumors were examined for EGFR
and CD68 expression by immunohistochemistry on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded
sections. Extracted DNA from paired frozen tumor and blood samples was examined
for loss of heterozygosity on chromosome 3 using polymerase chain reactionbased
microsatellite analysis. Immunoreactivity for EGFR was correlated with clinicopathological,
chromosome 3, and follow-up data.
Results Immunoreactivity for EGFR was observed in 7 (23%) of 30 uveal melanomas,
but was restricted to solitary or small groups of cells with macrophage-like
morphology. Immunoreactive cells were confirmed as macrophages using an antibody
to the macrophage marker CD68. Chromosome 3 loss, epithelioid cells, and microvascular
loops were detected in 17 (57%), 22 (73%) and 19 (63%) of the 30 tumors, respectively.
Metastatic disease was detected in 5 patients (17%). No correlation was found
between any of these variables and EGFR positivity.
Conclusions The absence of EGFR immunoreactivity in tumor cells does not support
the use of EGFR expression as a prognostic indicator in patients with uveal
melanoma. Future EGFR studies in uveal melanoma should be interpreted with
caution in view of our findings that tumor-associated macrophages can express
this receptor.
From the Unit of Ophthalmology, Department of Medicine (Drs Scholes,
Hiscott, and Grierson and Ms Hagan), and the Department of Pathology (Dr Hiscott),
University of Liverpool, and the Ocular Oncology Service, St Paul's Eye Unit,
Royal Liverpool University Hospital (Dr Damato), Liverpool, England.
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