Abstract | BACKGROUND: The roles of c-erbB-3 gene and protein in the pathogenesis, progression, and outcome of oral carcinoma remain unknown. To determine whether c-erbB-3 expression could serve as an indicator of progression from premalignant to malignant transformation and of prognoses in patients with oral carcinoma, the authors examined the relation between the expression of c-erbB-3 protein and cell proliferation activity during the development of oral verrucous carcinoma (VC). METHODS: RESULTS: Normal human oral mucosa showed weak c-erbB-3 immunostaining, predominantly on the epithelial surface. In contrast, 7 (39%) of 18 VHs, 25 (84%) of 31 VCs, and all (100%) of 12 V-WSCCs demonstrated overexpression of c-erbB-3 protein with increased expression of PCNA in some premalignant epithelial cells and many tumor cells. This finding suggested the involvement of c-erbB-3 gene in the progression from VH to VC and V-WSCC. CONCLUSIONS: Overexpression of c-erbB-3 protein correlated with increased PCNA labeling index, indicating that c-erbB-3 may contribute to malignant transformation and tumor growth. Further, patients with high expression of both c-erbB-3 and PCNA had a poor outcome. Study results suggested that c-erbB-3 expression was an index of malignancy during progression from VH to VC and V-WSCC and might have been involved in the outcome of oral carcinoma patients.
|
Authors | K Sakurai, M Urade, Y Takahashi, H Kishimoto, K Noguchi, H Yasoshima, A Kubota |
Journal | Cancer
(Cancer)
Vol. 89
Issue 12
Pg. 2597-605
(Dec 15 2000)
ISSN: 0008-543X [Print] United States |
PMID | 11135221
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
|
Copyright | Copyright 2000 American Cancer Society. |
Chemical References |
- Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen
- Receptor, ErbB-3
|
Topics |
- Carcinoma, Verrucous
(metabolism, pathology)
- Humans
- Immunohistochemistry
- Mouth Mucosa
(chemistry, pathology)
- Mouth Neoplasms
(metabolism, pathology)
- Neoplasm Staging
- Precancerous Conditions
(chemistry, pathology)
- Prognosis
- Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen
(biosynthesis)
- Receptor, ErbB-3
(biosynthesis)
|