Co-overexpression of fibroblast growth factor 3 and epidermal growth factor receptor is correlated with the development of nonsmall cell lung carcinoma

Abstract

BACKGROUND. Lung cancer is a prevalent cancer with a poor prognosis. To develop a useful in vitro cell model, a cell line of lung squamous cell carcinoma (SCC-35) was established. METHODS. The SCC-35 cell was characterized by comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) and spectral karyotyping (SKY). Chromosome microdissection, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and Southern and Northern blots analyses were used to study target genes. RESULTS. Two amplicons were found at chromosomes 7pl2 and 11q13. Amplification and overexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) at 7pl2 and fibroblast growth factor 3 (FGF3) at 11q13 were found. To understand the correlation between these two genes in nonsmall cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) more comprehensively, overexpression of FGF3 and EGFR was investigated by immunohistochemistry with a tissue microarray containing 406 NSCLC samples. Cytoplasmic overexpression of FGF3 and EGFR was detected in 61% and 69% NSCLC cases, respectively. More interestingly, a significant correlation between overexpression of FGF3 and EGFR was found in NSCLC. CONCLUSION These results suggest that co-overexpression of FGF3 and EGFR may play an important role in the pathogenesis of lung carcinoma. © 2005 American Cancer Society.