c-erb B-2 expression is associated with tumor location and venous invasion and influences survival of patients with gastric carcinoma.
The HER-2/neu gene or c-erb B-2, localized on chromosome 17q, belongs to a family of tyrosine kinase receptors and shares extensive homology with the epidermal growth factor receptor. c-erb B-2 gene amplification and protein overexpression have been reported in several human cancers. The prognostic value of this genetic alteration in gastric carcinoma is far from being established. In the present study, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded gastric carcinoma tissues from 157 patients were evaluated for c-erb B-2 overexpression, by immunohistochemistry using a polyclonal antibody. c-erb B-2 expression was evaluated according to clinical and pathological parameters, and to the survival of the patients. Our results show that: (1). c-erb B-2 was overexpressed in 15.3% of gastric carcinoma cases; (2). c-erb B-2 overexpression was significantly more frequent in cardia (23.8%) and fundus/body (25.0%) carcinomas than in antrum (7.2%) carcinomas; (3). c-erb B-2 overexpression was significantly associated with venous invasion; (4). c-erb B-2 is a prognostic factor for gastric carcinoma.
Pinto-de-Sousa
João
J
Surgery 4, Hospital S João, Porto, Portugal.
David
Leonor
L
Almeida
Raquel
R
Leitão
Dina
D
Preto
John R
JR
Seixas
Mário
M
Pimenta
Amadeu
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D013270:Stomach / Q000473:pathology; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D016019:Survival Analysis; D015996:Survival Rate
D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases