EGF-R and Her2/neu overexpressing tumors: independent collectives for treatment of breast cancer by specific monoclonal antibody-therapy.
OBJECTIVE
In our recent studies, we demonstrated that breast cancer treatment by anti-EGF-R antibody resulted in a significant therapeutic effect in vivo. Furthermore, we were able to elucidate histopathologic parameters with an impact on therapy success. The aim of this study was the evaluation of EGF-R and Her2/neu protein expression on a large series of primary breast cancer, to elucidate if anti-EGF-R antibody therapy is a new therapeutic option for patients who are Her2/neu negative and where, therefore, anti-Her2/neu antibody treatment is not applicable.


METHODS
We analyzed EGF-R and Her2/neu protein expression of 149 consecutive primary breast cancer specimens by fully quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. For evaluation of stochastic independence, we used chi(2)-test as goodness-of-fit test.


RESULTS
We found EGF-R and Her2/neu expression as stochastically independent in primary breast cancer.


CONCLUSIONS
Anti-EGF-R antibody treatment is a potential therapeutic option for patients with Her2/neu negative breast cancer.
Solbach
Christine
C
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, School of Medicine, Theodor-Stern Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Solbach@em.uni-frankfurt.de
Roller
Marc
M
Budischewski
Kai
K
Loibl
Sibylle
S
Nicoletti
Maria
M
Stegmueller
Manfred
M
Kaufmann
Manfred
M
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000628:therapy*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000032:analysis* / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000032:analysis* / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases