Prognostic value of epidermal growth factor receptor, p53 and galectin-3 expression in papillary thyroid carcinoma

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to determine the protein expression and prognostic value of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), p53 and galectin-3 in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Methods A retrospective analysis was performed using tumour specimens from patients with PTC who underwent thyroidectomy between July 2007 and December 2008. The percentages of tumour cells staining positively for EGFR, galectin-3 and p53 were determined by immunohistochemistry. Associations between protein expression and age, sex, extrathyroidal extension and lymph node metastasis were assessed, together with the total Metastasis, Age, Completeness of resection, Invasion, Size (MACIS) score (a marker of prognosis). MACIS prognostic scores were categorized into four groups. Results Data from 168 patients with PTC (mean follow-up, 35 months) were included. EGFR expression was significantly associated with male sex and lymph node metastasis; p53 expression was higher in males than in females; galectin-3 expression was not significantly associated with age, sex, extrathyroidal extension, lymph node metastasis or total MACIS score category, however. Conclusion Immunohistochemical evaluation of EGFR and p53 expression in patients with PTC may be useful for determining prognosis, in PTC patients.