PROGNOSTIC VALUE OF C-ERBB-2 EXPRESSION IN UTERINE CERVICAL-CARCINOMA

Aims: To study the pattern of expression and prognostic importance of c-erbB-2 protein in cervical carcinoma. Methods: Sixty two cases of stage IB/IIA cervical carcinoma, representing the three main tumour types, were investigated immunohistochemically for the presence of c-erbB-2 protein expression, using a monoclonal antibody (CB11) to its internal domain. Follow up of at least five years' duration was available in all cases. Results: Definite membrane staining was seen in 38.7% of cases. There was a strong correlation with poor survival (p < 0.0001) particularly. For those with adenocarcinomas, this was the case when nodal metastases were present. In contrast, for squamous carcinomas and adenosquamous carcinomas, the association with a poor prognosis was most apparent in those patients without lymph node metastases. Conclusions: These findings raise the possibility that immunostaining for c-erbB-2 protein could be used as a prognostic marker and may help identify those patients for whom early adjuvant treatment might be beneficial.