• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.11
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• pp.4493-4497
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• 2014

Background: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) can predict the clinical response to tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy. However, EGFR mutations may be different in primary tumors (PT) and metastatic lymph nodes (MLN). The aim of this study was to compare EGFR mutations between PT and the corresponding MLN in NSCLC patients, and provide some guidelines for clinical treatment using TKI therapy. Materials and Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed with several research databases. Relative risk (RR) with the 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to investigate the EGFR mutation status between PT and the corresponding MLN. A random-effects model was used. Results: 9 publications involving 707 patients were included in the analysis. It was found that activation of EGFR mutations identified in PT and the corresponding MLN was 26.4% (187/707) and 19.9% (141/707), respectively. The overall discordance rate in our meta-analysis was 12.2% (86/707). The relative risk (RR) for EGFR mutation in PT relative to MLN was 1.33 (95%CI: 1.10-1.60; random-effects model). There was no significant heterogeneity between the studies ($I^2$=5%, p=0.003). Conclusions: There exists a considerable degree of EGFR mutation discrepancy in NSCLC between PT and corresponding MLN, suggesting that tumor heterogeneity might arise at the molecular level during the process of metastasis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.71 no.4
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• pp.259-265
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• 2011

Background: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors, gefitinib and erlotinib, are effective therapies for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients whose tumors harbor somatic mutations in EGFR. The mutations are, however, only found in about 30% of Asian NSCLC patients and all patients ultimately develop resistance to these agents. Ionizing radiation has been shown to induce autophosphorylation of EGFR and activate its downstream signaling pathways. In the present study, we have tested whether the effect of gefitinib treatment can be enhanced after ionizing radiation. Methods: We compared the PC-9 and A549 cell line with its radiation-resistant derivatives after gefitinib treatment with cell proliferation and apoptosis assay. We also analyzed the effect of gefitinib after ionizing radiation in PC-9, A549, and NCI-H460 cells. Cell proliferation was determined by MTT assay and induction of apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry. Caspase 3 activation and PARP cleavage were evaluated by western blot analysis. Results: PC-9 cells having mutated EGFR and their radiation-resistant cells showed no significant difference in cell viability. However, radiation-resistant A549 cells were more sensitive to gefitinib than were their parental cells. This was attributable to an increased induction of apoptosis. Gefitinib-induced apoptosis increased significantly after radiation in cells with wild type EGFR including A549 and NCI-H460, but not in PC-9 cells with mutated EGFR. Caspase 3 activation and PARP cleavage accompanied these findings. Conclusion: The data suggest that gefitinib-induced apoptosis could increase after radiation in cells with wild type EGFR, but not in cells with mutated EGFR.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.396-402
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• 2011

Introduction: Epidermal growth factor is a single-chain polypeptide consisting of 53 amino acids with potent mitogenic activity that stimulates the proliferation of a range of normal and neoplastic cells through an interaction with its specific receptor (epidermal growth factor receptor, EGFR). This interaction plays a key role in tumor progression including the induction of tumor cell proliferation. An increased EGFR copy number have been associated with a favorable response to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors therapy. In contrast, K-ras mutations tend to predict a poor response to such therapy. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between the clinicopathological factors and the up-regulation of EGFR expression and Kras mutations in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Materials and Methods: This study examined the immunohistochemical staining of EGFR, K-ras mutation detection with peptide nucleic acid (PNA)-based real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) clamping in 20 specimens from 20 patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma. Results: 1. In the immunohistochemical study of poorly differentiated and invasive oral squamous cell carcinoma, a high level of EGFR staining was observed. The correlation between immunohistochemical EGFR expression and histological differentiation, as well as the tumor size of the specimens was significant (Pearson correlation analysis, significance [r] >0.5, P<0.05). 2. In PNA-based real-time PCR clamping analysis, a K-ras mutation was not detected in all specimens. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the up-regulation of the EGFR may play a role in the progression and invasion of oral squamous cell carcinoma that is, independent of a K-ras mutation.

• BMB Reports
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.272-277
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• 2021

RalBP1 associated EPS domain containing 1 (REPS1) is conserved from Drosophila to humans and implicated in the endocytic system. However, an exact role of REPS1 remains largely unknown. Here, we demonstrated that mitogen activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)-p90 ribosomal S6 Kinase (RSK) signaling pathway directly phosphorylated REPS1 at Ser709 upon stimulation by epidermal growth factor (EGF) and amino acid. While REPS2 is known to be involved in the endocytosis of EGF receptor (EGFR), REPS1 knockout (KO) cells did not show any defect in the endocytosis of EGFR. However, in the REPS1 KO cells and the KO cells reconstituted with a non-phosphorylatable REPS1 (REPS1 S709A), the recycling of transferrin receptor (TfR) was attenuated compared to the cells reconstituted with wild type REPS1. Collectively, we suggested that the phosphorylation of REPS1 at S709 by RSK may have a role of the trafficking of TfR.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.21-30
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• 2003

Background : Mucin synthesis in airways has been reported to be regulated by the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) system. Epidermal growth factor receptor transactivation was identified as a critical element in G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs)-induced mitogenic signaling. EGF receptor transactivation by G-protein-coupled receptors requires metalloproteinase cleavage of proHB-EGF. This study was hypothesized that lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mucin production associates with epidermal growth factor receptor transactivation, and MUC5AC production associates with epidermal growth factor receptor transactivation by G-protein-coupled receptors that regulates by metalloproteinase. Method : MUC5AC mucin production was examined in NCI-H292 cells and MUC5AC protein synthesis was assessed using ELISA. For the evaluation of mechanism of LPS-induced MUC5AC production, $TNF{\alpha}$ was measured using ELISA with or without pretreatment of heterotrimeric G-protein inhibitor, mastoparan. MUC5AC protein was measure with pretreatment of polyclonal $TNF{\alpha}$ antibody or mastoparan on LPS-induced MUC5AC production. For the evaluation of relation of G-protein and MUC5AC production, G-protein stimulant, mastopara-7, or matrix metalloproteinase, ADAM10, was added to NCI-H292 cells. MUC5AC protein was measure with pretreatment of polyclonal EGF antibody on mastoparan-7-induced MUC5AC production. Results : LPS alone did not increase significantly MUC5AC production. LPS with $TNF{\alpha}$ induced dose-dependently MUC5AC production in NCI-H292 cells. LPS increased dose-dependently $TNF{\alpha}$ secretion, which was inhibited by mastoparan. LPS with $TNF{\alpha}$-induced MUC5AC production was inhibited by neutralizing polyclonal $TNF{\alpha}$ antibody, mastoparan or AG 1472. Mastoparan-7 or ADAM10 increased dose-dependently MUC5AC production, which was inhibited by polyclonal neutralizing EGF antibody. Conclusion : In LPS-induced MUC5AC synthesis, LPS causes $TNF{\alpha}$ secretion, which induces EGFR expression. EGFR tyrosine kinase phosphorylation result in MUC5AC production. EGF-R transactivation by G-protein-coupled receptors requires matrix metalloproteinase cleavage of proHB-EGF.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.31-38
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• 2016

Specific gene expressions of host cells by spontaneous STAT6 phosphorylation are major strategy for the survival of intracellular Toxoplasma gondii against parasiticidal events through STAT1 phosphorylation by infection provoked $IFN-{\gamma}$. We determined the effects of small molecules of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) on the growth of T. gondii and on the relationship with STAT1 and STAT6 phosphorylation in ARPE-19 cells. We counted the number of T. gondii RH tachyzoites per parasitophorous vacuolar membrane (PVM) after treatment with TKIs at 12-hr intervals for 72 hr. The change of STAT6 phosphorylation was assessed via western blot and immunofluorescence assay. Among the tested TKIs, Afatinib (pan ErbB/EGFR inhibitor, $5{\mu}M$) inhibited 98.0% of the growth of T. gondii, which was comparable to pyrimethamine ($5{\mu}M$) at 96.9% and followed by Erlotinib (ErbB1/EGFR inhibitor, $20{\mu}M$) at 33.8% and Sunitinib (PDGFR or c-Kit inhibitor, $10{\mu}M$) at 21.3%. In the early stage of the infection (2, 4, and 8 hr after T. gondii challenge), Afatinib inhibited the phosphorylation of STAT6 in western blot and immunofluorescence assay. Both JAK1 and JAK3, the upper hierarchical kinases of cytokine signaling, were strongly phosphorylated at 2 hr and then disappeared entirely after 4 hr. Some TKIs, especially the EGFR inhibitors, might play an important role in the inhibition of intracellular replication of T. gondii through the inhibition of the direct phosphorylation of STAT6 by T. gondii.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.58 no.3
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• pp.205-210
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• 2015

Objective : This study was aimed at optimizing the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients who are candidates for stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for brain metastases and harbor activating epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed the medical records from 2005 to 2010 of NSCLC patients with brain metastases harboring an activating EGFR mutation. Patients who received a combination therapy of SRS and EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) for brain metastases and those who received SRS without EGFR-TKI were compared. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS) of the brain metastases. Results : Thirty-one patients were eligible for enrolment in this study (SRS with TKI, 18; SRS without TKI, 13). Twenty-two patients (71.0%) were women and the median overall age was 56.0 years. PFS of brain lesions was not significantly prolonged in SRS with TKI treatment group than in SRS without TKI group (17.0 months vs. 9.0 months, p=0.45). Local tumor control rate was 83.3% in the combination therapy group, and 61.5% in the SRS monotherapy group (p=0.23). There were no severe adverse events related with treatment in both groups. Conclusions : Therapeutic outcome of concurrent SRS and TKI treatment was not superior to SRS monotherapy, however, there was no additive adverse events related with combined treatment.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.152-159
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• 2014

The regulation of protein tyrosine phosphorylation is mediated by protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) and protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) and is essential for cellular homeostasis. Co-expression of PTKs with PTPs in Pichia pastoris was used to facilitate the expression of active PTKs by neutralizing their apparent toxicity to cells. In this study, the gene encoding phosphatase PTP1B with or without a blue fluorescent protein or peroxisomal targeting signal 1 was cloned into the expression vector pAG32 to produce four vectors. These vectors were subsequently transformed into P. pastoris GS115. The tyrosine kinases EGFR-2 and $PDGFR{\beta}$ were expressed from vector pPIC3.5K and were fused with a His-tag and green fluorescent protein at the N-terminus. The two plasmids were transformed into P. pastoris with or without PTP1B, resulting in 10 strains. The EGFR-2 and $PDGFR{\beta}$ fusion proteins were purified by $Ni^{2+}$ affinity chromatography. In the recombinant P. pastoris, the PTKs co-expressed with PTP1B exhibited higher kinase catalytic activity than did those expressing the PTKs alone. The highest activities were achieved by targeting the PTKs and PTP1B into peroxisomes. Therefore, the EGFR-2 and $PDGFR{\beta}$ fusion proteins expressed in P. pastoris may be attractive drug screening targets for anticancer therapeutics.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.10
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• pp.5177-5182
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• 2012

Purpose: To compare the efficacy and safety of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitormonotherapy (EFGR-TKIs: gefitinib or erlotinib) with standard second-line chemotherapy (single agent docetaxel or pemetrexed) in previously treated advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: We systematically searched for randomized clinical trials that compared EGFR-TKI monotherapy with standard second-line chemotherapy in previously treated advanced NSCLC. The end points were overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), overall response rate (ORR), 1-year survival rate (1-year SR) and grade 3 or 4 toxicities. The pooled hazard ratio (HR) or risk ratio (RR), with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated employing fixed- or random-effects models depending on the heterogeneity of the included trials. Results: Eight randomized controlled trials (totally 3218 patients) were eligible. Our meta-analysis results showed that EGFR-TKIs were comparable to standard second-line chemotherapy for advanced NSCLC in terms of overall survival (HR 1.00, 95%CI 0.92-1.10; p=0.943), progression-free survival (HR 0.90, 95%CI 0.75-1.08, P=0.258) and 1-year-survival rate (RR 0.97, 95%CI 0.87-1.08, P=0.619), and the overall response rate was higher in patients who receiving EGFR-TKIs(RR 1.50, 95%CI 1.22-1.83, P=0.000). Sub-group analysis demonstrated that EGFR-TKI monotherapy significantly improved PFS (HR 0.73, 95%CI: 0.55-0.97, p=0.03) and ORR (RR 1.96, 95%CI: 1.46-2.63, p=0.000) in East Asian patients, but it did not translate into increase in OS and 1-year SR. Furthermore, there were fewer incidences of grade 3 or 4 neutropenia, febrile neutropenia and neutrotoxicity in EGFR-TKI monotherapy group, excluding grade 3 or 4 rash. Conclusion: Both interventions had comparable efficacy as second-line treatments for patients with advanced NSCLC, and EGFR-TKI monotherapy was associated with less toxicity and better tolerability. Moreover, our data also demonstrated that EGFR-TKImonotherapy tended to be more effective in East Asian patients in terms of PFS and ORR compared with standard second-line chemotherapy. These results should help inform decisions about patient management and design of future trials.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.657-662
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• 2014

Background: The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation status of lung cancer is important because it means that EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment is indicated. The purpose of this prospective study is to determine whether EGFR mutation status could be identified with reference to preoperative factors. Materials and Methods: One hundred-forty eight patients with lung cancer (111 adenocarcinomas, 25 squamous cell carcinomas and 12 other cell types) were enrolled in this study. The EGFR mutation status of each lung cancer was analyzed postoperatively. Results: There were 58 patients with mutant EGFR lung cancers (mutant LC) and 90 patients with wild-type EGFR lung cancers (wild-type LC). There were significant differences in gender, smoking status, maximum tumor diameter in chest CT, type of tumor shadow, clinical stage between mutant LC and wild-type LC. EGFR mutations were detected only in adenocarcinomas. Maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax:$3.66{\pm}4.53$) in positron emission tomography-computed tomography of mutant LC was significantly lower than that ($8.26{\pm}6.11$) of wild-type LC (p<0.0001). Concerning type of tumor shadow, the percentage of mutant LC was 85.7% (6/7) in lung cancers with pure ground glass opacity (GGO), 65.3%(32/49) in lung cancers with mixed GGO and 21.7%(20/92) in lung cancers with solid shadow (p<0.0001). For the results of discriminant analysis, type of tumor shadow (p=0.00036) was most significantly associated with mutant EGFR. Tumor histology (p=0.0028), smoking status (p=0.0051) and maximum diameter of tumor shadow in chest CT (p=0.047) were also significantly associated with mutant EGFR. The accuracy for evaluating EGFR mutation status by discriminant analysis was 77.0% (114/148). Conclusions: Mutant EGFR is significantly associated with lung cancer with pure or mixed GGO, adenocarcinoma, never-smoker, smaller tumor diameter in chest CT. Preoperatively, EGFR mutation status can be identified correctly in about 77 % of lung cancers.