epidermal-growth-factor and Gastrointestinal-Stromal-Tumors

The coexistence of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) and pregnancy is very rare. We are the first to add to the literature a case report of GIST occurring during pregnancy with immunohistochemical staining for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and progesterone receptor (PgR). A role of PgR and EGFR in tumor growth should not be excluded, and these findings indicate that the expression of these receptors could provide pertinent biological information required to determine adequate therapeutic regimens. In conclusion, considering that GIST occurring during pregnancy is a rare event, with frequent delay in diagnosis, it is important to consider this diagnosis for early recognition, correct diagnosis, and a better outcome.

Topics: Adult; Epidermal Growth Factor; ErbB Receptors; Female; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic; Progesterone; Receptors, Progesterone; Stomach Neoplasms

To investigate the role that the hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway, which includes sonic hedgehog (Shh), Patched (Ptc), Smoothened (Smo) and Gli-1, plays in human gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs).. Surgically resected specimens from patients with GISTs, leiomyomas and schwannomas were examined by immunohistochemical staining for aberrant expression of hedgehog signaling components, Shh, Ptc, Smo and Gli-1, respectively.. In GISTs, 58.1% (18 of 31), 77.4% (24 of 31), 80.6% (25 of 31) and 58.1% (18 of 31) of the specimens stained positive for Shh, Ptc, Smo and Gli-1, respectively. In leiomyomas, 92.3% (12 of 13), 92.3% (12 of 13), 69.2% (9 of 13) and 92.3% (12 of 13) stained positive for Shh, Ptc, Smo and Gli-1, respectively. In schwannomas, 83.3% (5 of 6), 83.3% (5 of 6), 83.3% (5 of 6) and 100% (6 of 6) stained positive for Shh, Ptc, Smo and Gli-1, respectively. Immunohistochemistry revealed that the expressions of Shh and Gli-1 were significantly higher in leiomyomas than in GISTs (P < 0.05, respectively). Shh expression strongly correlated with the grade of tumor risk category and with tumor size (P < 0.05, respectively). However, the expressions of Ptc and Smo did not correlate with histopathological differentiation.. These results suggest that the Hh signaling pathway may play an important role in myogenic differentiation and the malignant potential of human intestinal stromal tumors.

Topics: Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; Epidermal Growth Factor; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Hedgehog Proteins; Humans; Intestinal Neoplasms; Leiomyoma; Neurilemmoma; Patched Receptors; Prognosis; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; Receptors, Cell Surface; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; Signal Transduction; Smoothened Receptor; Transcription Factors; Zinc Finger Protein GLI1