Utility of c-erbB-2 expression in tissue and sera of ovarian cancer patients

In this study expression of the c-erbB-2 gene in tumors and healthy tissue of patients with ovarian cancer was investigated. Serum c-erbB-2 protein le vels were also determined. Elevated serum values were observed in 45% of pa tients. c-erbB-2 protein levels in the armors were significantly higher tha n in healthy tissue. Overexpression of the protein was observed in 60% of p atients. However no association was found between the clinical variables an d tumor c-erbB-2 expression. This is the first study in the literature inve stigating the c-erbB-2 oncoprotein levels in the normal and tumor tissue. W e conclude that the role of the c-erbB-2 gene in ovarian cancer warrants fu rther studies.