C-erbB-2 in bladder cancer: molecular biology, correlation with epidermal growth factor receptors and prognostic value.
OBJECTIVE
To study the c-erbB-2 oncogene in primary transitional cell bladder cancer.


METHODS
Ninety-five patients with known clinical follow-up and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr) status were studied for expression of c-erbB-2 by immunostaining. Possible mechanisms underlying increased staining for c-erbB-2 protein were investigated by analyzing DNA and RNA encoding c-erbB-2.


RESULTS
Strong positive staining for c-erbB-2 was detected in 20 (21%) tumors, with weaker staining in a further 13 (14%). There was no correlation between increased staining for c-erbB-2 and tumor stage, grade, or EGFr status. There was a low rate of amplification of the c-erbB-2 gene (1 of 24) on Southern blotting with a higher rate of elevated c-erbB-2 mRNA (4 of 44) with dot blot hybridization. For pT1 tumors, the rate of recurrence was higher for those tumors which were positive for c-erbB-2.


CONCLUSIONS
c-erbB-2 oncoprotein is expressed by a significant proportion of transitional cell tumors of the bladder. In this study, the prognostic significance of c-erbB-2 expression appears limited.
D015139:Blotting, Southern; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000032:analysis*; D015870:Gene Expression; D018734:Genes, erbB-2; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000235:genetics*; D018739:Oncogene Proteins v-erbB / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D011379:Prognosis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000737:chemistry; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D018739:Oncogene Proteins v-erbB; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm; D066246:ErbB Receptors