Clinical Significance:

EGFR is a proto-oncogene localized on chromosome 7 that encodes a transmembrane tyrosine kinase human epidermal growth factor receptor protein. The receptor mediates the biological signal of EGF, TGF-alpha and amphiregulin growth factors ⁽¹⁾.
Binding of the ligand induces induction of the tyrosine kinase activity, stimulation of cell DNA synthesis and cell proliferation ^{(2, 3)}.
Amplification of EGFR gene is observed in a majority of squamous cell carcinomas and is correlated with poor prognosis ^{(4, 5)}.
EGFR gene amplification in astrocytomas and gliomas also predicts a poor prognosis ⁽⁶⁾.

Methodology:

Minor groove binder (MGB) with Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) has been utilized to develop a quantitative, Real Time PCR based assay for the ultrasensitive detection and quantitation of EGFR gene amplification.

References:

1) Kim E.S., Khuri F.R., Herbst R.S. (2001) Curr. Opin. Oncol. Nov 13 (6), 506.
2) Albanell J., Codony- Servat J., Rojo F. et al (2001) Cancer Res. Sep 61 (17), 6500.
3) Yarden Y. (2001) Eur. J. Cancer Sep 37, S3.
4) Ono Y., Nakanishi Y., Gotoh M. et al (2002) Cancer Lett. 175 (2), 197.
5) Rodrigo J.P., Ramos S., Lazo P.S. et al (1996) Eur. J. Cancer 32A (11), 2004.
6) Diedrich U., Lucius J., Baron E. et al (1995) J. Neurol. 242 (10), 683.

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