Introduction
Increased expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR),
which is linked to the early phases of neoplastic transformation, is
linked to the tumor’s aggressiveness, invasiveness, and treatment
failure (1). Additionally, it supports angiogenesis, cellular
proliferation, and the metastatic process (2).
Metastasis is one of the main causes influencing the treatment outcome
in laryngeal cancer and EGFR expression analysis may assist identify
individuals who are at a high risk of developing metastasis (2-3). Early
identification of patients at higher risk of recurrence using EGFR in
conjunction with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF- α) may be beneficial
in directing treatment (3-4).
Additionally, EGFR expression has an impact on the course of treatment;
the literature discusses how overexpression of EGFR leads to the failure
of radiotherapy and chemotherapy with increased resistance to
oncological treatment. EGFR expression can be detected even before the
diagnosis of a primary laryngeal mass by using immunohistochemical
analysis on the biopsy taken during the initial histopathological
diagnosis (2).
Because of this, the goal of chemotherapy is to inhibit EGFR function.
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies are used to achieve
the blockage, and these monoclonal antibodies’ main targets are to
inhibit ligand binding, cause the degradation of some types of
receptors, and activate the antitumor immune response (5).
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors’ main function is to prevent the
phosphorylation of the EGFR. The combination of radiation and the
monoclonal antibody cetuximab produced the best outcomes for head and
neck cancers in their advanced stages (2).
Based on all of these facts, employing this biomarker may change how
LSCC and associated lymph node metastases are diagnosed, categorised,
and prognosed, based on the metastatic status indicated by the
biomarker’s expression.
Our study aimed to determine and document the EGFR over-expression in
laryngeal carcinoma primary tumor and in 1st echelon node in cases with
clinically and radiologically N0 neck.