ABSTRACT
LSAB immunohistochemistry and digoxin-labeled in situ hybridization methods were used to detect the expression of EGFR and TGF-a and the transcription of EGFR-mRNA in human renal cell carcinoma (RCC) tissues. The expression rate of EGFR and TGF-α in 46 cases of human RCC tissues were significantly higher than that in 38 cases of corresponding autologous normal kidney tissues (EGFR.. 53. 4 % vs 21.0 %;TGF-α: 39. 1 /% vs 13. 2 %, P＜0. 05). Both EGFR and TGF-α were simultaneously overexpressed in some cases of RCC tissues. No relationship existed between EGFR or TGF-α and the RCC staging and grading. The positive rate of transcription EGFR-mRNA in 25 cases of RCC tissues was significantly higher than that in 20 cases of corresponding autologous normal kidney tissues (44 % vs 15 %, P＜0. 05). The above findings demonstrated that RCC tissues overexpressed EGFR and TGF-αand overtranscribed EGFR-mRNA. The overexpressed EGFR and TGF-α might contribute to the growth and development of RCC by taking part in the autocrine growth loop in RCC.