Prognostic significance of c-erbB-2 (HER-2/neu) oncoprotein in benign and malignant breast tumor tissue

The overexpression of c-erbB-2 (HER2/neu) oncoprotein was analysed quantita tively by ELISA in tissue extracts of benign and malignant breast tumors (N = 38 and 145, resp.). The level of this oncoprotein was above the cut-off v alue (100 kU/g protein) in 5% of dysplastic tissues and in 37 % of breast c arcinomas (range 4.2-133.6 and 10.7-1862.9 kU/g protein, resp.). The correl ation between c-erbB-2 measured by ELISA and detected semiquantitatively by immunohistochemistry was statistically significant. Dysplastic tissues wit h higher relative risk of malignant transformation were characterised by el evated c-erbB-2 values. In breast cancer patients, c-erbB-2 overexpression was inversely associated with disease-free interval. No correlation was fou nd between c-erbB-2 and grading, lymph node infiltration, tumor size, or ho rmone receptor status.