title: Heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor expression and biological action in human pancreatic cancer cells.
abstract: The epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor is activated by EGF and other EGF-like growth factors, including heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF). We characterized the biological actions of HB-EGF in PANC-1 and COLO-357 human pancreatic cancer cell lines, and determined whether the presence of HB-EGF in human pancreatic carcinomas correlates with patient survival. HB-EGF enhanced the growth of both cell lines in a dose-dependent manner, with a potency that was generally similar to that of EGF and transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha). HB-EGF also readily induced tyrosine phosphorylation of the EGF receptor in these cells. Immunohistochemical analysis of 47 pancreatic cancer tissues revealed the presence of HB-EGF immunoreactivity in the cancer cells in 50% of the tumors. However, the presence of HB-EGF was not associated with a statistically significant decrease in the post-operative survival period. Furthermore, coexpression of HB-EGF and the EGF receptor was not associated with shorter patient survival. These findings suggest that HB-EGF activates the EGF receptor in human pancreatic cancer cells, but that it is not involved in enhancing the biological aggressiveness of this malignancy in vivo.
authors.affiliation: UNIV CALIF IRVINE,DEPT MED,DIV ENDOCRINOL DIABET & METAB,IRVINE,CA 92717. UNIV CALIF IRVINE,DEPT BIOL CHEM,IRVINE,CA 92717. SCIOS NOVA INC,MT VIEW,CA 94043. UNIV BERN,INSELSPITAL,DEPT VISCERAL & TRANSPLANTAT SURG,CH-3010 BERN,SWITZERLAND.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yokoyama
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Funatomi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hope
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Damm
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Friess
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Buchler
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Abraham
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Korc