EGFR AND STEROID-RECEPTORS IN OVARIAN-CARCINOMA - COMPARISON WITH PROGNOSTIC PARAMETERS AND OUTCOME OF PATIENTS

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), progesterone receptor (PR) an d estrogen receptor (ER) status were analysed in 108 primary ovarian e pithelial carcinoma specimens. Receptor concentration was determined w ith radioligand binding assays. 61% of the carcinomas investigated wer e positive for EGFR, 29% for PR and 57% for ER. EGFR status was not co rrelated with histological grading of tumors and no difference in EGFR positivity was found between subgroups of ovarian carcinomas. On the other hand, 50% of the rumors with FIGO stage III and IV and tumors wh ich could not be operated to be free of residual tumor mass were EGFR positive, whereas only 30% were positive within the group of armors wi th FIGO stage I and II and no residual tumor mass. The outcome of the carcinoma patients was followed up for a maximum of 100 months. A sign ificant correlation between EGFR positivity and a shorter progressive- free period as well as shorter overall survival was found. For PR and ER status no relation to patient survival became evident The response to chemotherapy was significantly correlated to EGFR status. After 5 y ears 63% of the patients with negative versus 25% with positive EGFR w ere still alive indicating the impaired response of EGFR positive carc inomas to chemotherapy containing platinum compounds.