EPIDERMAL GROWTH-FACTOR RECEPTOR AND C-ERBB-2 ONCOPROTEINS IN TISSUE AND TUMOR EFFUSION CELLS OF HISTOPATHOLOGICALLY DIFFERENT OVARIAN NEOPLASMS

The overexpression of two growth factor receptors - epidermal growth f actor receptor (EGFR) and c-erbB-2 - was evaluated immunohistochemical ly in malignant and benign ovarian neoplasms, considering the stage of the disease and histology of tumors, The comparison of EGFR and c-erb B-2 reactivity in tissue sections and respective cyst and/or ascitic f luid cells was also performed. c-erbB-2 expression was detected in 44. 4% of ovarian carcinomas, and in benign neoplasms there was no evidenc e of its staining, while EGFR reactivity was found both in malignant ( 58.7%) and benign (50%) tumors. Significant heterogeneity of staining was observed, however, the relationship between EGFR and c-erbB-2 expr ession in tissue sections and cpt and/or ascitic fluid cells in indivi dual patients was evident. The expression of both growth factor recept ors was not correlated with histopathological subtypes of ovarian neop lasms, The c-erbB-2 oncoprotein was detected more frequently in III/IV than in I/II stages according to the criteria of the International Fe deration of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) and the EGFR expression w as independent of the clinical advancement of the disease. The coexpre ssion of c-erbB-2 and EGFR was shown in 32% of ovarian carcinomas, and it dominated in cases with FIGO stages III/IV. Our results indicate t hat the increase of the EGFR expression appears to be associated with early stages of ovarian tumorigenesis, and the enhancement of c-erbB-2 reactivity may cooperate with EGFR activation in the development and progression of ovarian carcinomas.