The expression of type I growth factor receptors in the squamous neoplastic changes of uterine cervix.
OBJECTIVE
The type I family of growth factor receptors includes ErbB1, ErbB2, ErbB3, and ErbB4 which are frequently overexpressed in various human cancer cells. In this study, we systematically investigated the frequency and distribution of these four receptors in relation to neoplastic changes and tumor behaviors in the uterine cervix.


METHODS
A total 84 of cases including 12 cases of normal cervical tissues, 6 cases of low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, 10 cases of high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, and 56 cases of squamous cells carcinoma were examined.


RESULTS
Our results show significant difference with increasing grades of dysplasia in terms of these four receptor expressions. No association was found between these four receptors and cell keratinization/differentiation of squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. Of the four receptors studied, only the expression of erbB2/neu gene was significantly associated with lymph nodal metastasis. Moreover, we find that the coexpression of ErbB1 and ErbB4 was significant in cervical carcinoma.


CONCLUSIONS
The coexpression of ErbB1 and ErbB4 in cervical carcinoma suggests that they may be involved in receptor heterodimerization leading to the activation of signaling pathway in the cervical carcinoma.
Chang
J L
JL
Department of Microbiology & Immunology, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
Tsao
Y P
YP
Liu
D W
DW
Han
C P
CP
Lee
W H
WH
Chen
S L
SL
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D020893:Receptor, ErbB-3; D066247:Receptor, ErbB-4; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
D066246:ErbB Receptors; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D020893:Receptor, ErbB-3; D066247:Receptor, ErbB-4; C587689:ERBB4 protein, human