c-erbB2 expression in correlation to other biological parameters of breast cancer

On the prognostic value of c-erbB2-encoded protein p185 in breast cancer there are controversal opinions. With the outlook of an evaluation of the prognostic value of p185 expression in breast cancer the relationships between p185 expression and known prognosis factors were investigated. Using polyclonal antibody against p185 33% out of 163 primary breast carcinomas are p185-positive. Within the various histological types of tumors the percentage of p185 expression differs. It is suggested that p185 indicates a certain type of biological behavior and plays a role in the pathogenesis of breast cancer. Thus the determination of p185 could allow definition of biological subclasses. A statistically significant correlation between expression of p185 and the presence of lymph node metastases or tumor size can not be proved. Nevertheless p185 expression is increased in cases with more than three positive lymph nodes. Expression of p185 correlates statistically significantly positively with histological grade and epidermal growth factor receptor, and negatively with steroid receptor status. Furthermore, high-proliferating tumors are more common in p185-positive cases than in p185-negative cases. It is concluded that p185 may be associated with an increased malignancy and proliferation activity of tumors.