c-erbB3 protein expression in ovarian cancer

Abstract

Aims - To study the prevalence of overexpression of c-erbB3 growth factor receptor in ovarian carcinomas and to analyse its relation to histological subtype, stage and grade of the tumours. Methods - Ninety eight ovarian carcinomas were evaluated immunohistochemically using the RTJ1 monoclonal antibody raised against a synthetic peptide, the sequence of which was derived from the cytoplasmic domain of the c-erbB3 protein. Results - Of the tumours, 16% (16/98) overexpressed c-erbB3 protein relative to normal ovarian epithelium, whereas 22% (22/98) were completely negative. There was a statistically significant association between overexpression and well differentiated grade. Conclusions - These findings suggest that c-erbB3 protein overexpression occurs in a significant proportion of ovarian cancers and is correlated with differentiation. Overexpression may merit further investigation as a potential prognostic indicator and as a target for new treatment.