title: Reappraisal of the biological role of epidermal growth factor receptor in transitional cell carcinoma.
abstract: Retrospective immunohistochemical and flow cytometric DNA analyses were performed on 56 cases of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) to examine the biologic implications of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression. A total of 28 (50%) cases were reactive for EGFR immunostaining. The receptor expression increased from 41.7 to 56.3% with tumor stage. There was a significant association between EGFR expression and tumor stage (p < 0.0005), but not tumor grade. The flow DNA content and the Ki-67 proliferating index had no relation to the status of EGFR (p = 1, respectively). For those receptor-positive tumors (n = 28), there was a significant association (p < 0.0001) between receptor expression and tumor proliferation. Interestingly, the DNA content was not correlated with EGFR expression (p = 0.69). We support the possible role of EGFR in cell proliferation and the potential significance for tumor growth in TCCs. However, the biology of TCC in half the cases could not be explained by this mechanism. The interaction between EGFR and DNA ploidy status necessitates further evaluation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Medical College, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: N H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Chow
authors.forename: T S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Tzai
authors.forename: S N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Tang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002455:Cell Division; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D011003:Ploidies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014516:Ureteral Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D066246:ErbB Receptors