ISSN:
1573-7373
Keywords:
prognosis
;
c-neu/erbB2 oncogene
;
epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R)
;
transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-α)
;
phosphotyrosine
;
glioblastoma (GBM)
;
immunocytochemistry
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Summary Seventeen untreated primary adult glioblastomas were analyzed using immunocytochemistry for the expression of EGF-R, c-neu/erbB2, TGF-α, and phosphotyrosine. Patients were divided by median survival into long-term or short-term survivors (LTS, N=10, median 〉 4 years; versus STS, N=7, median 61 weeks). There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of age, extent of resection, post-operative Karnofsky status, or treatment. Diagnostic sections from each tumor were stained with antibodies to EGF-R, c-neu/erbB2, TGF-α and phosphotyrosine. Double-labelling for TGF-α and EGF-R was also performed. All 10/10 LTS were considered to be EGF-R negative/scant, while 4/7 STS were EGF-R positive. EGF-R negativity significantly correlated with long-term survival. The differences in c-neu/erbB2 expression did not reach significance. However, 4/7 STS were positive for both proteins and 76% of the 17 cases were either double negative or positive for EGF-R and c-neu/erbB2. TGF-α and phosphotyrosine were frequently expressed, but neither were prognostic. Recurrent tumors were studied in 7 STS. EGF-R expression was increased in 4/7 of these cases and c-neu/erbB2 was increased in all 7 cases, compared to the pretreatment baselines. Increased expression of these proteins in glioblastomas may be associated with aggressive clinical behavior and treatment resistance.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01324695
