Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Gene in Prostate Cancer after Radical Prostatectomy

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate over expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene in localized prostate cancers and determine its relation with clinical and pathological factors affecting the progression of the disease. Methods: In the tissue samples of the patients with prostate cancer undergoing radical prostatectomy, EGFR expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry technique. Those with scores 2 and 3 were considered to be positive for the expression. The relation between gene expression and grade was evaluated by chi-square test. Results: Of 100 tissue samples evaluated, 80 and 20 had Gleason score (GS) < 7 and >= 7, respectively. Also, 68 and 32 had PSA level <= 10 and >10, respectively. A total of 59 samples were positive for EGFR expression, of whom, 46 had GS < 7 and 13 had GS > 7 (P-value = 0.39). Forty patients had PSA < 10 and 19 had PSA > 10 (P-value = 0.5). Conclusion: Fifty-nine percent of the patients with localized prostate cancer undergoing radical prostatectomy were EGFR positive. No significant relation was found between EGFR and grading (GS) or PSA.