THE PROGNOSTIC VALUE OF EPIDERMAL GROWTH-FACTOR RECEPTORS, DETERMINEDBY BOTH IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY AND LIGAND-BINDING ASSAYS, IN PRIMARY EPITHELIAL OVARIAN-CANCER - A PILOT-STUDY

After our previous studies on the incidence of epidermal growth factor receptors (EGF-R) and its relationships with other tumour characteris tics in more than 100 ovarian tumours, in the present study we investi gated the prognostic value of EGF-R with respect to progression-free s urvival in 50 patients with primary ovarian cancer and sufficient foll ow-up (median 26 months, range 10-33 months). EGF-R was measured by bo th biochemical and two immunohistochemical methods, using two monoclon al antibodies (MAb), in addition to oestrogen receptors (ER) and proge sterone receptors (PgR). EGF-R by ligand binding assay and Scatchard a nalysis were detectable in 63% of the tumours, by immunohistochemistry with MAb 2E9 in 82% and with MAb EGF-R1 in 78% of the tumours. ER-pos itivity was found in 58% and PgR-positivity in 38% of the patients. Th e results of the three measurements of EGF-R showed only weak to moder ate associations with Spearman rank correlations (Rs) between 0.13 and 0.46. ER and PgR were only weakly correlated (Rs = 0.20) and they sho wed no significant association with EGF-R status. There was no clear e vidence of the existence of correlations between receptor values and F IGO stage and tumour rest. Univariate Cox regression analyses showed t hat a higher FIGO stage and larger tumour rest were associated with sh orter progression-free survival (P = 0.001), while PgR positivity was associated with a longer progression-free survival (P = 0.02). The lev el of EGF-R (irrespective of the method of determination used) showed a positive correlation with the risk of progression, but this correlat ion was not statistically significant.