C-ERBB-2 ONCOPROTEIN AND EPIDERMAL GROWTH-FACTOR RECEPTOR IN CERVICALLESIONS

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) and the oncogene product of c -erbB-2 have been shown to be expressed in human tumors and in some ca ses relate to clinical outcome. This study investigates the correlatio n between the presence of these receptor proteins and various histolog ical grades of cervical tissues. Imunocytochemical analysis of benign, premalignant and malignant cervical tissues showed a highly significa nt correlation between the expression of the two proteins and the hist ological grade of the lesions. Moreover, the overall frequency of coex pression of these proteins was similar. This study suggests that these proteins may be involved in cellular proliferation and have a signifi cant role in the progression of cervical cancer.