Expression of epidermal growth factor receptor in the inverted papilloma and squamous cell carcinoma of nasal cavity

The present study was undertaken to compare positive rate of immunostaining (PR) and positive intensity of immunostaining (PI) of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in inverted papilloma (IP), synchronous carcinoma with IP and metachronous carcinoma with IP of the nasal cavity. Ten subjects with nasal polyps, ten subjects with inverted papilloma (IP), five subjects with synchronous carcinoma with IP and ten subjects with metachronous carcinoma with IP were enrolled with a control group of ten subjects of inferior turbinate. Each specimen was divided into two portions: one for RNA isolation and the other for detection of EGFR protein. Positive rate of immunostaining, positive intensity of immunostaining for EGFR protein and EGFR mRNA were significantly up-regulated in the IP, synchronous carcinoma with IP and metachronous carcinoma with IP when comparing polyp and normal mucosa. A role for EGFR in the malignant transformation from IP to SCC of the nasal cavity is suggested.