COEXPRESSION OF EPIDERMAL GROWTH-FACTOR RECEPTOR AND LIGANDS IN HUMANPANCREATIC-CANCER IS ASSOCIATED WITH ENHANCED TUMOR AGGRESSIVENESS

Immunohistochemical analysis for the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), EGF and transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) was perfo rmed in 87 human pancreatic carcinomas. Expression frequencies for EGF R, EGF, and TGF-alpha were 43%, 46% and 54%, respectively. Coexpressio n of the receptor and at least one of its ligands occurred in 38% of t he tumors, and correlated with large tumor size, advanced clinical sta ging, and decreased survival period. In situ hybridization revealed th at the respective mRNAs were also overexpressed in the carcinomas. The se findigs suggest that coexpression of EGFR and its ligands may contr ibute to the aggressiveness of human pancreatic cancer.