COMBINED ANALYSIS OF EXPRESSION OF C-ERBB-2, KI-67 ANTIGEN, AND TENASCIN PROVIDES A BETTER PROGNOSTIC INDICATOR OF CARCINOMA OF THE PAPILLAOF VATER

Expression of the molecular biological factors (MBFs) c-erbB-2, Ki-67 antigen, and tenascin (TN) was assessed immunohistochemically in speci mens from patients who had undergone surgery for carcinoma of the papi lla of Vater. The MBFs were then analyzed by histological factors (v, d, pane, n, Stage), which have been demonstrated to be outcome predict ors, and by patient outcome. None of the MBFs showed any significant c orrelation with the histological factors. There were significant diffe rences (p < 0.05) in the expression of c-erbB-2, Ki-67 antigen, and TN between patients who survived >5 years and those who survived <5 year s. The patients with greater expression of c-erbB-2, Ki-67 antigen, an d TN had a poor prognosis, whereas those with less expression had a go od prognosis. They were therefore considered independent predictors of outcome for carcinoma of the papilla of Vater. Combined analysis of b oth histological factors and MBFs was also performed, with the result that the combined analysis of MBFs yielded a better prediction of outc ome in carcinoma of the papilla of Vater than analysis of either one h istological factor or MBF.