The Expression of Type I Growth Factor Receptors in the Squamous Neoplastic Changes of Uterine Cervix

• Published in: Gynecologic oncology Vol. 73; no. 1; pp. 62 - 71
• Main Authors: Chang, Junn-Liang, Tsao, Yeou-Ping, Liu, Dai-Wei, Han, Chih-Ping, Lee, Wei-Hwa, Chen, Show-Li
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: San Diego, CA Elsevier Inc 01.04.1999; Elsevier
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - chemistry; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - genetics; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - metabolism; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - pathology; cervical carcinoma; Female; Female genital diseases; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; growth factor receptor; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; immunohistochemistry; Medical sciences; Proto-Oncogene Proteins - analysis; Proto-Oncogene Proteins - biosynthesis; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor - analysis; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor - biosynthesis; Receptor, ErbB-2 - analysis; Receptor, ErbB-2 - biosynthesis; Receptor, ErbB-3; Receptor, ErbB-4; Tumors; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms - chemistry; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms - genetics; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms - metabolism; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms - pathology; growth factor receptor; cervical carcinoma; immunohistochemistry; Histological grading; Human; Immunohistochemistry; Premalignant lesion; Gene overexpression; Malignant tumor; Gene expression; Female genital diseases; Pathology; Cervical dysplasia; Female; Uterine cervix diseases; Growth factor; Biological receptor
• DOI: 10.1006/gyno.1998.5301
• ISSN: 0090-8258

Aim.The type I family of growth factor receptors includes ErbB1, ErbB2, ErbB3, and ErbB4 which are frequently overexpressed in various human cancer cells. In this study, we systematically investigated the frequency and distribution of these four receptors in relation to neoplastic changes and tumor behaviors in the uterine cervix. Materials.A total 84 of cases including 12 cases of normal cervical tissues, 6 cases of low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, 10 cases of high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, and 56 cases of squamous cells carcinoma were examined. Results.Our results show significant difference with increasing grades of dysplasia in terms of these four receptor expressions. No association was found between these four receptors and cell keratinization/differentiation of squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. Of the four receptors studied, only the expression of erbB2/neugene was significantly associated with lymph nodal metastasis. Moreover, we find that the coexpression of ErbB1 and ErbB4 was significant in cervical carcinoma. Conclusions.The coexpression of ErbB1 and ErbB4 in cervical carcinoma suggests that they may be involved in receptor heterodimerization leading to the activation of signaling pathway in the cervical carcinoma.