The co-expression and cellular location of HER family members, EGFRvIII, putative cancer stem cell biomarkers CD44 and CD109 in patients with glioblastoma, and their impacts on prognosis

Glioblastoma multiform is the most aggressive type of brain tumour. The expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and its mutated form EGRRvIII has been reported in patients with a brain tumour, but none of their inhibitors has been approved for the treatment of patients with a brain tumour. This study examined whether the expression of EGFRvIII is accompanied by the co-expression with other members of the HER family and putative cancer stem cell biomarkers CD44 and CD109. The results have shown that co-expression of these biomarkers occurs in patients with glioblastoma. Further investigation should determine whether the co-expression of such biomarkers can be of predictive value for the response to the therapy with various types of HER inhibitors and their potential as therapeutic targets for co-targeted therapy.