A Study of the Correlation between Expression of c-erbB-2 Oncoprotein and Various Clinicopathological Prognostic Factors in Breast Carcinoma.
- Author:
Jong Hee NAM
;
Kyung Soo KIM
;
Chang Soo PARK
;
Sang Woo JUHNG
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Breast carcinoma;
c-erbB-2 oncoprotein
- From:Korean Journal of Pathology
1995;29(2):136-144
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Immunohistochemical study for c-erbB-2 oncoprotein was performed on paraffin sections of 76 primary breast carcinomas to determine the relationship between expression of c-erbB-2 and various clinicopathological prognostic indicators, including the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Positive reaction for c-erbB-2 oncoprotein revealed an intense red granular staining predominantly located at the tumor cell membrane, with some cells exhibiting a weak cytoplasmic staining as well. The epithelial cells of the normal lobule and duct showed a negative reaction. Positive reaction for EGFR revealed a granular staining in the cytoplasm and the cell membrane of the tumor cells. Some tumors showed a positive EGFR staining in the epithelial cells of normal duct and lobule. Twenty six of 76 cases (34.2%) of primary breast carcinomas revealed a positive reaction for c-erbB-2 oncoprotein, and 28 cases (36.8%) were positive for EGFR. Expression of c-erbB-2 oncoprotein and EGFR was evident in 37.7% and 40.6% of 69 classic invasive ductal carcinomas, respectively. None of the other histological types showed a positive reaction. Expression of c-erbB-2 oncoprotein was strongly associated with tumor size(p=0.0015), histologic grade(.p=0.0175), vascular invasion(p=0.0043), and lymph node metastasis(p=0.0024), but not with age at diagnosis(p=0.1836). No significant association was found between expression of c-erbB-2 oncoprotein and EGFR. Co-expression of c-erbB-2 oncoprotein and EGFR was also strongly associated with tumor size (p=0.0029). These results suggest that c-erbB-2 oncoprotein is biologically distinct from EGFR, and may be used as a prognostic indicator of breast carcinoma due to its strong association with various clinicopathological prognostic factors.
