Clinical significance of the expression of EGFR signaling pathway-related proteins in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling is an important pathway that is not only involved in the determination of cellular development, but also has significant roles in tumor development and progression. The study aims to examine the expression of EGFR signaling pathway-related proteins (EGFR, c-Fos, and c-erb-B2) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and to investigate their relationships with clinical significance. Sixty esophageal squamous carcinoma specimens obtained by fiber esophagoscope were subjected to two-step immunohistochemistry to test the expression of EGFR, c-Fos, and c-erb-B2. EGFR expression was observed in 73.3 % of tumors (44/60); positive EGFR expression was significantly correlated with tumor–node–metastasis (TNM) staging, lymph node metastasis, and distant metastasis (P < 0.05). c-Fos expression was found in 85 % (51/60) of tumors, and its expression was significantly related to tumor depth and TNM staging (P < 0.05). c-erb-B2 expression was 75 % (45/60) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) specimens, and positive-erb-B2 expression had a significant association with the depth of tumor invasion (P < 0.05). c-Fos expression was significantly and positively correlated with c-erb-B2 (P < 0.05). Overexpression of EGFR, c-Fos, and c-erb-B2 was associated with tumor progression and development. EGFR and c-Fos expression can predict the tumor stage. c-Fos and c-erb-B2 expression can be used to determine the depth of tumor invasion and can also act as a combined prognostic indicator in ESCC.