OVEREXPRESSION OF C-ERBB-2 PROTEIN IN GASTRIC-CANCER BY IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL STAIN

An immunohistochemical stain to the c-ErbB-2 protein was performed in 225 paraffin-embedded tissue blocks from patients with locally advance d gastric cancer who underwent curative resection. The overexpression of the c-ErbB-2 protein was observed in 27.4% of the patients. The c-E rbB-2 positivity showed a statistically significant correlation with n odal status and stage. The patients with an overexpression of the c-Er bB-2 protein had a tendency to a shorter survival than those without, but it was not statistically significant (p = 0.08). The 5-year surviv al rate after surgery was 54% in the negative staining group to the c- ErbB-2 protein and 49% in the positive staining group. This suggests t hat the c-ErbB-2 protein has a possible role in lymph node metastasis, Therefore overexpression of the c-ErbB-2 protein is a useful indicato r of disease progression in gastric carcinoma patients who received cu rative surgery.