[Significance of expression of epidermal growth factor receptor, transforming growth factor beta, c-erbB-2 oncogene in myoepithelioma of salivary gland].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the effect of expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta), c-erbB-2 oncogene in myoepithelioma and malignant myoepithelioma.


METHODS
20 cases of myoepithelioma and 20 cases of malignant myoepithelioma were examined by immunohistochemical methods.


RESULTS
All cases showed overexpression of EGFR and TGF beta, the intensity of expression didn't associate with the benignity and malignity of tumors. The overexpression of c-erbB-2 oncoprotein was seen in 5 cases of myoepithelioma and 13 cases of malignant myoepithelioma, and the cases of malignant myoepithelioma were stained more intense than that of myoepithelioma.


CONCLUSIONS
The synergy of EGFR and TGFR beta had significant relation to the proliferative and differentiation processes of myoepithelial tumor. The activated c-erbB-2 oncogene, that is similar with EGFR in structure, plays an important promoting role in unrestricted progression of malignant myoepithelioma cells.
Wang
L
L
Department of Stomatology, Lanzhou Medical College, Lanzhou 730000.
Gao
Y
Y
Yang
L
L
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009208:Myoepithelioma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000096:biosynthesis
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta