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The relationship between epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) status and various prognostic factors was investigated in 70 human breast cancer specimens. Epidermal growth factor receptor was determined by radioligand binding assay, standardized by the EORTC Receptor Study Group, using hydroxyapatite to separate receptor-bound and free ligand. The percentage of EGFR positivity was 80% when the cutoff was set at 5 fmol/mg of membrane protein; this percentage was among the highest hitherto reported. Regression analysis of EGFR versus ER and PR levels confirmed an inverse relationship between EGFR and ER (p = 0.022) as well as between EGFR and PR (p = 0.024). Univariate analysis of the EGFR data stratified according to steroid hormone receptor status showed EGFR to be negatively associated with ER and PR. No association was found between EGFR and menopausal status, axillary lymph node involvement, tumor size, and differentiation grade. A direct association between EGFR status and Ki-67 positive cell rate could be demonstrated.

The pattern and concentration of urinary, free, monoacetylated and total polyamines were determined in 31 cirrhotic patients, divided into three classes according to Child's classification, and in 28 healthy subjects.Cirrhotic patients had increased levels of free, monoacetylated and total polyamines. They also showed a significant increase in N1-acetylspermidine to N8-acetylspermidine molar ratio. Urinary polyamine excretion was not related to the severity of liver disease nor to the values of laboratory liver function tests. Furthermore, polyamine excretion was not significantly different in cirrhotics with or without diabetes or IGT, while plasma insulin and glucagon levels were increased in all cirrhotic patients.The results suggest that enhanced polyamine biosynthesis and catabolism, particularly N1-acetylation, occur in cirrhotic patients, probably due to hepatic regeneration and/or increased levels of insulin and glucagon.