Prognostic Factors and c-erbB-2 Expression in
Non-Small-Cell Lung Carcinoma
(c-erbB-2 in Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma)

Abstract

The human proto-oncogene c-erbB-2/neu gene, which is structurally similar to the epidermal growth factor receptor gene, encodes a transmembrane protein of 185 kDa (p185) with tyrosine kinase activity. Paraffin-embedded sections from 42 cases with lung carcinoma were stained immunohistochemically using the Avidin-Biotin Horseradish Peroxidase method to search for c-erbB-2 reaction. Results were evaluated semiquantitatively. The c-erbB-2 expression from each case was compared according to tumor type, grade, mitotic activity, clinical stage and lymph node metastasis. Results were statistically analyzed by using chi-square tests. We were unable to detect a significant relation between c-erbB-2 expression and histological grade, nodal metastasis, number of mitotic figures or tumor type, but we did observe a statistically significant correlation between clinical stage and increased c-erbB-2 expression (p < 0.05). In our opinion, c-erbB-2 expression in human lung carcinomas may be useful for determining clinical outcome.

Key words

c-erbB-2 - Lung carcinoma - Prognosis - Immunohistochemistry

References

• 1 Daren S, Gongping H, Shilong C. et al . Overexpression of the c-erbB-2/neu-Encoded p185 Protein in Primary Lung Cancer.  Molecular Carcinogenesis.. 1992;  5 213-218
• 2 Masahiro T, Teruyoshi J, Tetsuya M, Satoshi K, Keizo S. Prognostic Value of c-erbB-2 Protein Expression in Human Lung Adenocarcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma.  Eur J Cancer. 1991;  27 (11) 1372-1375
• 3 Schneider P, Hung M C, Chiocca S M. et al . Differential Expression of the c-erbB-2 Gene in Human Small Cell and Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.  Cancer Research. 1989;  49 (15) 4968-4971
• 4 Giatromanolaki A, Koukourakis M I, O'Byme K. et al . Anticancer.  Research. 1996;  16 3819-3826
• 5 Dihua Y, Wang S, Dulski K M. et al . C-erbB-2/neu Overexpression Enhances Metastatic Potential of Human Lung Cancer Cells by Induction of Metastasis-associated Properties.  Cancer Research. 1994;  54 (15) 3260-3266
• 6 Osaki T, Mitsudomi T, Oyama T, Nakanishi R, Yasumato K. Serum Level and Tissue Expression of c-erbB-2 Protein in Lung Adenocarcinoma.  Chest. 1995;  108 (1) 157-162
• 7 Volm M, Drings P, Wodrich W, Kaick van W G. Expression of oncoproteins in primary human non-small cell lung cancer and incidence of metastases.  Clin Exp Metastasis. 1993;  11 325-329
• 8 Giri D K, Wadhwa S N, Upadhaya S N, Talwar G P. Expression of Neu/Her-2 Oncoprotein (P185 neu) in Prostate Tumors: An Immunohistochemical Study.  The Prostate. 1993;  23 329-336
• 9 Watanabe M, Nakada T, Yuta H. Analysis of Pcotooncogene c-erbB-2 in Benign and Malignant Human Prostate.  International Urology and Nephrology. 1999;  31 (1) 61-73
• 10 Haussler O, Epstein J l, Amin M B, Heitz P U, Hailemariam S. Cell Proliferation, Apoptosis, Oncogene, and Tumor Supressor Gene Status in Adenosis With Comparison to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.  Prostatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia and Cancer. Human Pathology. 1999;  30 (9) 1077-1086