Expression of the ERBB2 protein in benign and malignant salivary gland tumors.
Fifty-two primary human salivary gland tumors were analyzed for expression of the p185ERBB2 protein using immunohistochemical and immunoblotting techniques. About 63% (33/52) of the tumors expressed the ERBB2 protein. The highest expression levels were detected among the carcinomas, where 32% of the tumors showed intense membrane staining in 25-100% of the tumor cells. In benign pleomorphic adenomas, the corresponding figure was only 12%. Clinical follow-up data available for 18 of the 19 patients with carcinomas suggested an association between high ERBB2 protein levels and poor prognosis as measured by recurrence of disease and/or the appearance of metastases. These results indicate that ERBB2 activation and overexpression could be an important genetic event with possible prognostic implications in a subset of malignant salivary gland tumors.
Department of Oral Pathology, University of Göteborg, Sweden.
G
G
Stenman
J
J
Sandros
A
A
Nordkvist
J
J
Mark
P
P
Sahlin
D000236:Adenoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D002460:Cell Line; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D011379:Prognosis; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D011519:Proto-Oncogenes; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000166:cytology
D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases