# EGFR gene amplification linked to poorer survival in oral cancer in a meta-analysis of 1,561 patients

- Published: 2026-11-14 00:52 UTC
- Section: Life & Health › Medicine
- Tags: EGFR gene amplification, oral squamous cell carcinoma, prognostic biomarker, meta-analysis, overall survival, disease-free survival, lymph node metastasis, University of Granada, Frontiers in Oral Health
- URL: https://realtech.media/news/rt-1f4d8b828d90b129a0f4eb14_egfr_gene_amplification/

**A systematic review of 15 studies found EGFR amplification in oral squamous cell carcinoma associated with shorter overall and disease-free survival and advanced stage.**

![EGFR gene amplification linked to poorer survival in oral cancer in a meta-analysis of 1,561 patients](https://realtech.media/media/2026/11/608115abaeb0f957.jpg)
*bioengineer.org*

Researchers from the School of Dentistry at the University of Granada (Biohealth Research Institute, Spain) published a systematic review and meta-analysis in Frontiers in Oral Health on 13 November 2026, available via doi.org/10.3389/froh.2026.2012977. The work covers 15 primary studies with 1,561 patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and evaluates the clinicopathological and prognostic significance of EGFR gene amplification [1].

## Survival and tumor stage

EGFR amplification was significantly associated with poorer overall survival (HR = 1.98, 95% CI 1.32–2.98, p = 0.001) [1]. For disease-free survival the estimate was HR = 1.66 (95% CI 1.03–2.67, p = 0.04) [1].

Amplification was also associated with lymph node involvement, N+ status (OR = 1.73, 95% CI 1.08–2.77, p = 0.02), and with advanced clinical stage (OR = 1.78, 95% CI 1.08–2.94, p = 0.02) [1].

## Methods and subgroups

The authors searched MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Scopus for studies published before June 2026. They assessed the quality of primary studies with the QUIPS tool, ran meta-analyses, examined heterogeneity between studies through subgroup analyses and meta-regressions, and tested for small-study effects [1].

Subgroup meta-analyses showed significant associations in Asian subpopulations, in patients with tongue tumors, and in studies with a lower risk of bias [1].

The authors note that OSCC accounts for about 90% of oral malignancies. According to GLOBOCAN estimates they cite, oral cancer causes about 452,205 new cases and 194,108 deaths per year, and 5-year survival has stayed near 50% for the past 40 years. Prognosis today relies on TNM staging, which is why the authors point to the need for molecular biomarkers [1].

The authors also distinguish gene amplification from protein overexpression: the two are related but distinct alterations, and amplification does not always lead to higher protein levels [1].

Based on the available evidence, the authors concluded that EGFR gene amplification may be useful as a prognostic biomarker for OSCC [1]. The review is registered in PROSPERO (CRD420261517568).

## Sources

1. [doi.org](https://doi.org/10.3389/froh.2026.2012977)
2. [bioengineer.org](https://bioengineer.org/egfr-gene-amplification-linked-to-worse-oral-cancer-survival-and-progression)

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Source: RealTech, realtech.media — https://realtech.media/news/rt-1f4d8b828d90b129a0f4eb14_egfr_gene_amplification/