ErbB-4 expression in limb soft-tissue sarcoma: correlation with the results of neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
ErbB-4 is a recently described growth factor receptor. Relatively little is known about its expression in human tumours. In this study, we assessed the possible role of erbB-4 as a tissue marker for soft-tissue sarcomas (STS) and its correlation with the response to chemotherapy. The histological specimen of 29 patients with STS of a limb who had received preoperative doxorubicin (ADR)-based chemotherapy were studied for the degree of necrosis and the expression of erbB-4 (by an avidin-biotin-peroxidase technique). ErbB-4 expression in the preoperative tissue samples was compared with the expression in the postchemotherapy resected tumour. The true objective response rate to preoperative chemotherapy was 34%. Wide resection of the tumour was done in 12 patients, marginal in 14, amputation in 2 and no surgery in 1. The tumour necrosis was above 90% in 9 patients, 60-90% in 12, and less than 60% in 7 patients. An increase in erbB-4 expression was more common in cases with no response to chemotherapy, while no change or a decrease in erbB-4 was more common in responsive tumours (P=0.004). No correlation could be found between the degree of necrosis or the chemotherapeutic regimen and the change in expression of erbB-4. The median disease-free survival (DFS) was longer for patients with a decrease or no change in expression of erbB-4 than for patients with increased expression. It is believed that postchemotherapy new expression or no downregulation of the erbB-4 molecule represents tumour aggressiveness and increased capability of growth and spread.
Merimsky
O
O
Department of Oncology, The Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, 6 Weizman Street, Israel. merimsky@sahav.net.il
Issakov
J
J
Bickels
J
J
Kollender
Y
Y
Flusser
G
G
Soyfer
V
V
Schwartz
I
I
Inbar
M
M
Meller
I
I
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D066247:Receptor, ErbB-4; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D004317:Doxorubicin; C587689:ERBB4 protein, human; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D066247:Receptor, ErbB-4