Expressions of c-erbB-2, epidermal growth factor receptor and pan-ras proto-oncogenes in adenocarcinoma of the cervix: Correlation with clinical prognosis

The expressions of c-erbB-2, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and pa n-ras in normal cervical glands (n=45), glandular dysplasia/adenocarcinoma in situ (GIN/ACIS) (n=32) and invasive cervical adenocarcinoma (n=78) were determined and correlated with clinical prognosis. The expressions of c-erb B-2, EGFR and pan-ras in GIN/ACIS lesions and invasive tumours were signifi cantly higher than in normal glands (p<0.001), whereas there was no signifi cant difference between expressions in GIN/ACIS lesions and invasive tumour s, except for EGFR (p=0.016). Significantly more normal glands adjacent to adenocarcinoma showed moderate/strong expressions for EGFR than c-erbB-2 (p =0.007) whereas significantly more GIN/ACIS lesions showed moderate/strong expressions for c-erbB-2 than EGFR (p=0.008). No correlation was found betw een moderate/strong expressions for c-erbB-2, EGFR or pan-ras and stage at presentation (p=0.384, 0.056, 0.842 respectively) or with survival (p=0.58, 0.19, 0.26 respectively). In conclusion, EGFR is more important in inducin g dysplastic change/malignant transformation whereas c-erbB-2 plays a. more significant role in tumour progression and invasion. However, neither c-er bB-2, EGFR nor pan-ras carried any prognostic significance on patient survi val.