Cervical epidermal growth factor-receptor (EGF-R) and serum insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) levels are potential markers for cervical cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To ascertain if cervical epithelial epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) and serum insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) levels are potential markers for cervical cancer.


METHODS
We tested cervical biopsies obtained from 18 controls, 3 women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) I, 17 women with CIN II and III, and 12 women with cervical cancer for EGF-R using a quantitative immunofluorescent antibody assay. We measured serum IGF-II levels using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 20 controls, 26 CIN patients, 12 with cervical cancer before therapy, 5 with cervical cancer for < 1 year, and 9 others > 1 year after therapy.


RESULTS
The levels of cervical EGF-R in women with CIN and cervical cancer were significantly higher (P<0.05 for CIN I; P<0.001 for patients with CIN II and III or cervical cancer) than in controls. Women with cervical cancer (P<0.001 vs. controls) or advanced CIN (P = 0.03) had elevated levels of serum IGF-II, while the women with CIN I had levels similar to controls. Women with cervical cancer in the post-therapy period had significantly lower serum IGF-II levels than the women with cervical cancer before therapy (P<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Cervical epithelial EGF-R and serum IGF-II levels may be used for the diagnosis and prognosis of cervical cancer.
Mathur
S P
SP
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425, USA. mathurs@musc.edu
Mathur
R S
RS
Young
R C
RC
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000378:metabolism*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II / Q000378:metabolism*; D011379:Prognosis; D011786:Quality Control; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II; D066246:ErbB Receptors