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

ABSTRACT

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.