The expression of type I growth factor receptors in the squamous neoplastic changes of uterine cervix

Aim. The type I family of growth factor receptors includes ErbB1, ErbB2, Er bB3, and ErbB4 which are frequently overexpressed in various human cancer c ells, In this study, we systematically investigated the frequency and distr ibution of these four receptors in relation to neoplastic changes and tumor behaviors in the uterine cervix, Materials, A total 84 of cases including 12 cases of normal cervical tissue s, 6 cases of low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, 10 cases of high g rade squamous intraepithelial lesion, and 56 cases of squamous cells carcin oma were examined. Results. Our results show significant difference with increasing grades of dysplasia in terms of these four receptor expressions, No association was f ound between these four receptors acid cell keratinization/differentiation of squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. Of the four receptors studied, on ly the expression of erbB2/neu gene was significantly associated with lymph nodal metastasis. Moreover, we find that the coexpression of ErbB1 and Erb B4 was significant in cervical carcinoma. Conclusions. The coexpression of ErbB1 and ErbB4 in cervical carcinoma sugg ests that they may be involved in receptor heterodimerization leading to th e activation of signaling pathway in the cervical carcinoma. (C) 1999 Acade mic Press.