EPIDERMAL GROWTH-FACTOR RECEPTOR EXPRESSION IS ASSOCIATED WITH RAPID TUMOR-CELL PROLIFERATION IN RENAL-CELL CARCINOMA

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-r) expression and tumor cell pro liferation rate have been proposed as potential prognostic parameters in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). In this study, immunohistochemical stai ns using antibodies to EGF-r and the cell proliferation marker Ki-67 ( MIB-1) were used to study the relationship between EGF-r expression, t umor cell proliferation, and prognosis in 50 nonpapillary RCC extendin g beyond the renal capsule (pT3). A high Ki-67 labeling index (LI) was associated with poor patient prognosis (P <.05). Thirty-eight cases ( 76%) expressed strong cell membrane immunoreactivity for EGF-r. There was a tendency toward a shortened survival for EGF-r-positive tumors ( P =.08). Tumor growth fraction (Ki-67 LI) was significantly higher in EGF-r-positive tumors than in EGF-r-negative tumors (P <.05), suggesti ng that rapid tumor proliferation might be responsible for the poor pr ognosis associated with EGF-r-positive RCC. Copyright (C) 1997 by W.B. Saunders Company.