Expression of epidermal growth factor receptor, ezrin, hepatocyte growth factor, and c-Met in uveal melanoma: an immunohistochemical study

Curr Eye Res. 2007 Mar;32(3):281-90. doi: 10.1080/02713680601161220.

Abstract

The immunoreactivity of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) ezrin, hepatocyte growth factor receptor (HGF), and c-Met was studied in 60 uveal melanomas and was correlated with clinicopathologic parameters. Metastases were diagnosed in the patients with uveal melanoma between 5 years and 8 years (median, 6.5 years) after enucleation. Using Kaplan-Meier statistical analysis, we found a significant association between high c-Met expression and death due to uveal melanoma (p < 0.03). EGFR was expressed in 18 of 60 (30%) tumors; ezrin was expressed in 30 of 60 (50%) tumors. Tumors with liver metastasis (n = 6) showed higher expression of c-Met (p = 0.0009) compared with the tumors with no extension/extrascleral extension without liver metastasis (groups A-45 and B-9). HGF was negative in all the six tumors that had liver metastasis. Further studies are required to understand the possible mechanism of ligand-independent c-Met activation in patients with uveal melanoma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism*
  • Child
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / metabolism*
  • Epidermal Growth Factor / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Hepatocyte Growth Factor / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques
  • Liver Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Liver Neoplasms / mortality
  • Liver Neoplasms / secondary
  • Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating / pathology
  • Male
  • Melanoma / metabolism*
  • Melanoma / mortality
  • Melanoma / secondary
  • Middle Aged
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met / metabolism*
  • Survival Rate
  • Uveal Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Uveal Neoplasms / mortality
  • Uveal Neoplasms / pathology

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • ezrin
  • Epidermal Growth Factor
  • Hepatocyte Growth Factor
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met