Prognostic role of epidermal growth factor receptor in head and neck cancer: a meta-analysis

Abstract

Background and objectives: To evaluate the predicting value of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) for survival in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC).

Methods: Data were collected from studies comparing overall survival (OS) or progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with higher or lower EGFR levels. Studies were pooled and combined hazard ratios (HRs) of EGFR for survival were calculated.

Results: A total of 68 studies involving 6,781 patients were included for meta-analysis. Either EGFR protein expression or gene copy number had prognostic value in HNC patients. EGFR overexpression could predict worse outcome, with HRs of 1.65 (95% CI: 1.45, 1.86) for OS and 1.27 (95% CI: 1.17, 1.37) for PFS. Increased EGFR copy number was also associated with reduced survival, with HRs of 1.5 (95% CI: 1.15, 1.96) for OS and 1.35 (95% CI: 1.14, 1.61) for PFS. Furthermore, EGFR overexpression could predict poorer OS in both eastern and western countries. Particularly, EGFR was considered a strong predictor in laryngeal squamous cell cancer (HR > 2).

Conclusion: Elevated EGFR expression and gene copy number could predict poor survival in HNC patients.

Keywords: epidermal growth factor receptor; head and neck cancer; prognosis.