[Overexpression of c-erbB-2 proto-oncogene product in chondrosarcomas]

The c-erbB-2 proto-oncogene plays an important role in the regulation of cellular proliferation and differentiation. Overexpression of c-erbB-2 proto-oncogene product in 40 cases of chondrosarcomas was investigated using ABC immunoperoxidase method. Overexpression of c-erbB-2 product was present in 36/40 (90%) chondrosarcomas and in 1/9 (11%) benign cartilage tumors. Normal cartilage tissue gave negative results. These findings indicate that c-erbB-2 proto-oncogene product has practical value in diagnosing chondrosarcomas. c-erbB-2 positive grading showed a significant inverse correlation with the histopathological grading. Chondrosarcomas with high histological grade and poor differentiation showed a bias toward a decline in expression of c-erbB-2 product. The c-erbB-2 proto-oncogene product may be used as a differentiation marker.