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Transforming Growth Factor-alpha and c-erbB-2 Oncogene Products in Ovarian Epithelial Tumors

Authors :
Edison Catalano
Santo V. Nicosia
Domenico Coppola
Source :
International Journal of Surgical Pathology. 4:129-135
Publication Year :
1996
Publisher :
SAGE Publications, 1996.

Abstract

The distribution of transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) and c- erbB-2 proteins was immunohistochemically analyzed in 49 epithelial ovarian neoplasms to determine their implication as molecular modulators of epithelial ovarian cancer progression and as possible prognosticators of outcome. TGF-alpha cytoplasmic immunoreactivity was strongly positive in 100% of adenomas (ADs)(N=11) and tumors of low malignant potential (LMPs)(N=17) but in only 19% of invasive carcinomas (ICAs)(N=21). TGF-alpha immunoreactivity was selective of the ovarian epithelium. Interestingly, in the TGF-alpha-positive carcinomas, the monoclonal antibody decorated the better-differentiated areas of the tumor (ie, areas with papillary architecture), leaving the less differentiated solid areas unstained. Strong p185 c- erb B-2 protein cytoplasmic immunoreactivity was present in 45% of ADs but also in 48% of ICAs. The LMPs, however, expressed c -erbB-2 only at low frequency. These data suggest the involvement of c- erbB-2 in the progression of some ovarian carcinomas but not others. Conversely, the strong TGF-alpha expression in ADs and LMPs, which fades in ICAs, implies an alteration of the TGF-alpha expression in the progression of epithelial ovarian tumors. Failure of the poorly differentiated carcinomas to decorate with TGF-alpha seems to indicate that TGF-alpha is a marker of tumor grade. Int J Surg Pnthol4(3):00-00, 1997

Details

ISSN :
19402465 and 10668969
Volume :
4
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
International Journal of Surgical Pathology
Accession number :
edsair.doi...........242f610bdbfa248aa2921b5d2e9816a5
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1177/106689699600400301