Distribution of prognostically unfavourable product of c-erbB-2 oncogene and EGF-R in carcinomas of the breast and uterine cervix.

A comparative study was undertaken between cancer of the uterine cervix (n = 50) and female breast cancer (n = 50) with reference to the expression of c-erbB-2 oncoprotein (HER-2/neu) and that of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R), both being highly homologous structurally. Expressions of EGF-R and c-erbB-2 oncoprotein were viewed in breast and cervical cancer tissues by immunochemical staining. Cervical cancer cases showed much higher expression of EGF-R which also revealed significant association with the expression of c-erbB-2 oncoprotein and tumour grading. Among breast cancer cases, over-expression of EGF-R correlated significantly with metastasis of lymph node; and expression of c-erbB-2 oncoprotein showed a significant relationship with histological grading of the tumour. Moreover, an association was noticed between the tumour grade and the concomitant immuno positive expression of EGF-R and c-erbB-2. Our study revealed an existence of a conflicting pattern in the expression of EGF-R and c-erbB-2 oncoprotein between carcinomas of the breast and uterine cervix.

Effect of cancer treatment modalities on serum lipids and lipoproteins among women with carcinoma of the breast.

Serum lipids and lipoproteins were studied in 61 breast cancer patients before initiation of therapy and subsequently during and after completion of cancer therapy. Different serum lipid fractions were estimated by enzymatic method. It was observed that mean levels of serum triglycerides, total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol among untreated breast cancer patients decreased significantly after treatment. On the contrary, an increasing trend in the levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol was noticed in patients during the course of treatment. This study reflects the effects of cancer therapy in the alteration of levels of different serum lipid fractions in the patients with breast cancer.

Oncoprotein c-erbB-2 in squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix and evaluation of its significance in response of disease to treatment.

Tissues from 50 cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix were analysed for immunohistochemical expression of c-erbB-2 oncoprotein and the patients were followed-up for 2 years. Immunopositivity of c-erbB-2 was studied with reference to clinical stage, histopathological differentiation and response to the cancer therapy. Expression of c-erbB-2 protein was found to be higher (37.5%) in cases with stage II disease, whereas more expressions were noticed in poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (33.3%). Among cases who showed complete response to the treatment, 20.8% were positive for c-erbB-2 oncoprotein. On the contrary, 36.8% of prognostically unfavourable cases revealed positivity for c-erbB-2 immunostaining. However, the difference between c-erbB-2 expressions of these two said groups of patients, which were divided in accordance with the response to treatment, did not attain to statistical significance. Study on c-erbB-2 among larger number of patients with cervical carcinoma may prove to be an important factor in response to cancer therapy.

Glutathione level and its relation to radiation therapy in patients with cancer of uterine cervix.

Glutathione functions as an important antioxidant in the destruction of hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxides by providing substrate for the glutathione peroxidase and also promotes the ascorbic acid. Glutathione plays a vital role in detoxification of xenobiotics, carcinogens, free radicals and maintenance of immune functions. The study was aimed to determine plasma glutathione as well as erythrocyte glutathione and glutathione peroxidase in patients with invasive cervical carcinoma (n = 30) before initiation and after completion of radiotherapy and subsequently, at the time of first three monthly follow-up visit. The levels of plasma glutathione, erythrocyte glutathione and glutathione peroxidase activity were found to be lower in all cervical cancer patients as compared to age matched normal control women. The study indicates a change in antioxidant status in relation with the glutathione system among patients with invasive carcinoma of the uterine cervix. This study also demonstrates the effect of radiation therapy on this antioxidant system.