C-erbB-2 Protein Expression and Correlation in Sera and Tumors of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients.
- Author:
Hun Mo RYOO
1
;
Sang Yeop LEE
;
Kyung Hee LEE
;
Myung Soo HYUN
;
Mi Jin KIM
Author Information
1. Departments of Internal Medicine, Yeung Nam University College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea. rhmrhm@cuth.cataegu.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Non-small cell lung cancer;
C-erbB-2;
Gene
- MeSH:
Adenocarcinoma;
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung*;
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell;
Humans;
Incidence;
Oncogenes;
Receptor, erbB-2*;
Sensitivity and Specificity;
Tumor Burden
- From:Journal of the Korean Cancer Association
2000;32(6):1100-1108
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: We have examined the expression of c-erbB-2 oncogene in sera and tissues of non-small cell lung cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serum levels of c-erbB-2 protein were measured by an enzyme im munoassay in 55 patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Sera from patients with surgical therapy were evaluated again after surgery. Immunohistochemical staining was performed in 47 of these tumors. RESULTS: Elevated levels (> or =45 U/mL, control mean 2SD) were observed in 15% of 55 non-small cell lung cancer patients, as compared with none of control subjects (p<0.05). The incidence of elevated level was higher in the adenocarcinoma than squamous cell carcinoma (22% vs 4%, p<0.01). The serum levels of c-erbB-2 protein decreased significantly after surgical tumor ablation (p<0.01). Tissue overexpression was obtained in 23/47 cases (49%). The incidence of c-erbB-2 overexpression was higher in the adenocarcinoma (73% vs 29%, p<0.005). No relationship was found between c-erbB-2 protein expression in serum and tumor tissue and clinicopathologic feature. Elevated serum c-erbB-2 levels predicted tissue overexpression with sensitivity 30% and specificity 96%. There was relationship between serum level and expression in tumor tissue of c-erbB-2 protein. CONCLUSION: Serum and tissue levels of c-erbB-2 correlate in patients with non-small cell carcinoma. Serum c-erbB-2 protein may be a useful indicator of tumor burden in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.
