EVALUATION OF THE PROGNOSTIC-SIGNIFICANCE OF CATHEPSIN-D, EPIDERMAL GROWTH-FACTOR RECEPTOR, AND C-ERBB-2 IN EARLY CERVICAL SQUAMOUS-CELL CARCINOMA - AN IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL STUDY

BACKGROUND. This study evaluated the prognostic significance of immuno histochemical staining for cathepsin D, epidermal growth factor recept or (EGFR), and c-erbB-2 in patients with early cervical squamous cell carcinoma METHODS. This retrospective analysis comprised 132 patients, all subjected to radical hysterectomy with bilateral pelvic lymphaden ectomy for International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO ) Stage IB cervical squamous cell carcinoma. Immunohistochemical stain ing was correlated with various histopathologic and morphologic charac teristics (i.e., tumor size, grade of differentiation, vessel invasion , invasion into parametria, and lymph node metastasis) and relapse fre e survival. RESULTS. Positive staining for cathepsin D was observed in 47% of tumors, more frequent in tumors giving rise to lymph node meta stases. The relapse free survival was lower for patients with cathepsi n D positive tumors. Overexpression of EGFR was observed in 25.8% of t he tumors. There was no correlation with anp of the histopathologic va riables investigated. Relapse free survival was lower for patients wit h tumors overexpressing EGFR. Immunohistochemical staining for c-erbB- 2 was observed in 12.1% of tumors with no correlation with relapse fre e survival. In multivariate analysis, immunostaining of cathepsin D an d EGFR obtained independent prognostic significance, and considered to gether (both negative, one positive, or both positive) was the stronge st prognostic factor after tumor size. CONCLUSIONS. Immunohistochemica l staining for cathepsin D and EGFR is useful as a tool for evaluation of tumor aggressiveness in patients with early cervical squamous cell carcinoma. (C) 1996 American Cancer Society.