title: Receptors for epidermal growth factor and steroid hormones in human breast cancer.
abstract: Epidermal growth factor (EGF) seems to play an important role in regulating the proliferation of human breast cancer. Fifty-five primary breast tumors and 7 lymph node metastases were simultaneously assayed for the presence of EGF receptors (EGFR), estrogen receptors (ER), and progesterone receptors (PR). Overall, 42% (23/55) of the tumors were EGFR positive. EGFR were more frequently present in ER- and PR-negative than in ER- and PR-positive tumors. In particular, a negative correlation between EGFR and PR (chi 2 = 6.8; p greater than 0.01) was observed. All metastatic tumors were EGFR negative, and in all cases but 1 the levels of EGFR were higher in metastatic than in primary tumors. Our results suggest the presence of a subclass of breast tumors, the growth of which is primarily regulated by EGF or EGF-like substances rather than by steroid hormones. In this group, not amenable to endocrine therapy, EGF receptors should represent a target for therapeutic intervention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetric and Gynecology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Battaglia
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Polizzi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Scambia
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: P B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Panici
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Iacobelli
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Crucitti
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mancuso
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000378:metabolism; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis*; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; D066246:ErbB Receptors