The Expression of c-erbB-2, EGFR, p53 and Ki-67 in Ovarian Borderline Tumors and Carcinomas of the Ovary.
- Author:
Kyueng Whan MIN
1
;
Moon Hyang PARK
Author Information
1. Department of Pathology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. parkmh@hanyang.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Ovarian neoplasms;
Receptor;
erbB-2;
Epidermal Growth Factor;
p53 Antigen;
Ki-67 Antigen
- MeSH:
Epidermal Growth Factor;
Female;
Ki-67 Antigen;
Mucins;
Ovarian Neoplasms;
Ovary*;
Prognosis;
Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
- From:Korean Journal of Pathology
2007;41(5):296-306
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: An ovarian surface epithelial tumor is a heterogenous disease, and various biological and molecular factors are important for its development and progression. Several findings support EGFR or c-erbB-2 as adverse prognostic indicators for an ovarian carcinoma. METHODS: We reviewed the histological and clinical findings of 52 carcinomas (17 endometrioid, 16 serous, 13 mucinous and 6 clear cell tumors), and 26 borderline (10 serous and 16 mucinous) tumors. Expression of c-erbB-2, EGFR, p53, and Ki-67 was evaluated on paraffinembedded tissue from a primary ovarian tumor by immunohistochemical methods. RESULTS: Expression of c-erbB-2 was found in 7.6% of tumors and expression of EGFR was found in 9.6% of tumors by immunohistochemical analysis. No significance was found between cerbB- 2 and EGFR expression as indicators of a poor prognosis. The expression of p53 and Ki-67 (>50%) correlated with the grade and type of tumor in the ovarian cancers. p53 and Ki- 67 overexpression (>50%) was absent in the borderline ovarian tumors, whereas ovarian carcinomas showed expression of both p53 and Ki-67. CONCLUSION: Expression of c-erbB- 2, EGFR, p53, and Ki-67 as determined by immunohistochemical analysis did not correlate with prognostic significance. However, p53 and Ki-67 expression may be used as markers to predict aggressive behavior, and to differentiate between malignant and borderline epithelial ovarian tumors. Further large-scale studies are required to clarify the significance of c-erbB-2 and EGFR expression in ovarian tumors.
