Expression of c-erbB-3 and c-erbB-4 proteins in papillary thyroid carcinomas.
c-erbB-3 and c-erbB-4 protein expression was analyzed using immunohistochemistry in 138 fresh-frozen thyroid tissue samples from 106 patients, including 56 cases of papillary thyroid carcinoma. Increased expression of c-erbB-3 and c-erbB-4 proteins was observed in papillary carcinomas compared to nonneoplastic thyroid tissue. No amplifications of the c-erbB-3 and c-erbB-4 genes were detected. Coexisting overexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor, c-erbB-2, c-erbB-3, and c-erbB-4 was demonstrated in 36 (64%) of 56 papillary thyroid carcinomas. These findings suggest a common regulatory mechanism for the type I (epidermal growth factor receptor-related) receptors in papillary thyroid carcinomas and provide numerous possibilities for functional receptor interactions.
Haugen
D R
DR
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Gade Institute, University of Bergen, Norway.
Akslen
L A
LA
Varhaug
J E
JE
Lillehaug
J R
JR
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000737:chemistry*; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000032:analysis; D006042:Goiter; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000032:analysis; D020893:Receptor, ErbB-3; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D020893:Receptor, ErbB-3