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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 reaction–based 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.