EGFRvIII
Pronunciation: E-G-F-R-v-three
Also written as: EGFRvIII — epidermal growth factor receptor variant III
Mutant epidermal growth factor receptor variant commonly found in glioblastomas, lacking exons 2-7.
Full Definition
EGFRvIII (epidermal growth factor receptor variant III) is a constitutively active mutant form of EGFR characterized by an in-frame deletion of exons 2-7, resulting in loss of the ligand-binding domain while retaining kinase activity. This mutation is found in approximately 25-30% of glioblastomas and represents one of the most common genetic alterations in primary glioblastoma. EGFRvIII expression is associated with increased tumor aggressiveness and has been targeted for therapeutic intervention, making its detection relevant for both diagnosis and treatment planning.
Usage
Usage note: Use Roman numeral III, not Arabic 3; may be written as EGFR-vIII with hyphen.
In Context
- "The glioblastoma demonstrated strong immunoreactivity for EGFRvIII." — Molecular pathology report
- "EGFRvIII expression was confirmed by both immunohistochemistry and molecular analysis." — Research study