Epidermal growth factor-urogastrone receptors in normal human liver and primary hepatoma

Epidermal growth factor-urogastrone (EGF-URO) receptors have been demonstrated in rodent liver and modulation of ligand binding during transformation has been shown in a variety of study systems. A patient presented with a resectable primary hepatoma arising in a histologically normal liver. We carried out ligand binding studies using 125I-EGF and homogenates or plasma membrane preparations of normal and hepatoma tissues. EGF-URO receptors were demonstrated in normal human liver; half-maximal binding occurred at 2.5 X 10(-9) M 125I-EGF. Binding decreased in association with hepatoma formation. These results provide initial evidence that EGF-URO receptors exist in human liver and that ligand binding changes accompany hepatoma formation in man.