c-erbB2 over-expression in endometrial hyperplasia induced by estrogens.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the presence of c-erbB2 expression in both spontaneous and estrogen-induced hyperplasia can affect the number of Ki-67-positive cells.


METHODS
Thirty-two postmenopausal women with endometrial hyperplasia occurring spontaneously or after using unopposed estrogens were studied. The number of cells undergoing mitosis was estimated by immunohistochemical detection of the Ki-67 antigen and compared with the presence or absence of c-erbB2 over-expression.


RESULTS
The percentage of cell nuclei showing positivity for Ki-67 was significantly higher in cases of endometrial hyperplasia that displayed c-erbB2 over-expression when compared to negative cases.


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of c-erbB2 over-expression in endometrial hyperplasia is associated with a higher number of cells being positive for the Ki-67 proliferation marker.
Maia
Hugo
H
CEPARH, Rua Caetano Moura, 35 Salvador, 40210-341, Bahia, Brazil. ceparh@uol.com.br
Maltez
Amélia
A
Athayde
Célia
C
Coutinho
Elsimar M
EM
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004714:Endometrial Hyperplasia / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D004717:Endometrium / Q000473:pathology; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D004967:Estrogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000032:analysis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000494:pharmacology
D004967:Estrogens; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D013739:Testosterone