[EGF receptor and EGF-like activity as prognostic factors in cervix cancer]

The binding of the Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) and the amount of EGF-like activity (EGF-A) was analysed in 75 cervical carcinomas and possible clinical implications were tested. EGF-A was significantly increased in patients with metastases to the pelvic and/or para-aortic lymph nodes. The EGF-receptor (EGF-R) capacity was inversely related to the histological grade (p < 0.05) and was reduced in highly differentiated tumours. In stage I and II disease, the clinical outcome was significantly reduced, if the receptor capacity or the level of EGF-A was increased (> 100 fmol/mg protein and > 0.5 ng/mg protein, respectively). The measurement of EGF-R capacity and EGF-A provides new and additional information for the prediction of the prognosis in cervical cancer.