Tp. Singleton et al., ACTIVATION OF C-ERBB-2 AND PROGNOSIS IN OVARIAN-CARCINOMA - COMPARISON WITH HISTOLOGIC TYPE, GRADE, AND STAGE, Cancer, 73(5), 1994, pp. 1460-1466
Background. Prior reports suggested that measuring c-erbB-2 activation
in ovarian carcinomas might be valuable in predicting prognosis. The
authors attempted to confirm these studies while specifically excludin
g tumors of low malignant potential. Methods. The clinical and patholo
gic significance of c-erbB-2 oncogene activation was assessed in 56 ov
arian carcinomas, none of which met histologic criteria for tumor of l
ow malignant potential. Results. By using an immunohistochemical techn
ique previously validated in molecular studies, c-erbB-2 oncogene over
expression was identified in 10 of the 56 carcinomas but did not corre
late with histologic type, histologic grade, International Federation
of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage, or prognosis. Adverse progn
ostic factors included histologic type (serous carcinoma), high grade,
and high stage (FIGO Stages III and IV). Grade and stage were highly
correlated with each other and were more important prognostic indicato
rs than histologic type. Conclusion. Measuring c-erbB-2 activation in
ovarian carcinomas may not be of practical value in predicting prognos
is when tumors of low malignant potential are excluded.