EPIDERMAL GROWTH-FACTOR, ESTROGEN AND PROGESTERONE-RECEPTOR EXPRESSION IN PRIMARY OVARIAN-CANCER - CORRELATION WITH CLINICAL OUTCOME AND RESPONSE TO CHEMOTHERAPY

The expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), oestrogen r eceptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) was assayed by a radiorece ptor method in 117 primary ovarian cancers. EGFR was not significantly related to any of the clinicopathological parameters examined. In pat ients with stage II-TV disease who underwent second-look surgery after primary chemotherapy, a significant correlation between high EGFR lev els and poor response to chemotherapy was demonstrated (P = 0.031). Mo reover, post-operative residual tumour showed an independent role in p redicting chemotherapy response (P = 0.0007) and EGFR status showed a borderline significance (P = 0.052) in the multivariate analysis. No c orrelation between steroid hormone receptors and clinicopathological p arameters was observed. Whereas a significant relationship was shown b etween EGFR positivity and a shorter overall survival (OS) (P = 0.0022 ) and progression-free survival (PFS) (P = 0.0033), patient survival w as not related to steroid hormone receptor status. Among the parameter s tested only stage, ascites and EGFR status retained an independent p rognostic value in the multivariate analysis.