Expression of epidermal growth factor in gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD)

Gestational Trophoblastic Disease (GTD) is an abnormal condition of the placenta, the incidence of which is very high in the State of Kerala, India. The biology of the disease is vague and methods to determine the malignant potentialis limited. Placentae of normal (50) and molar pregnancy (95) including 32 patients showing persistent disease were used in this study. EGF expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibody to EGF and quantitated using isotope labelled antibody to EGF. EGF was expressed more strongly in molar placentae in all gestational ages in comparison with normal placentae of similar gestational age, the expression being restricted mainly to first and second trimesters in normal placentae. Moles with early presenting symptoms (< 12 weeks) were at a higher risk for developing persistent disease. In conclusion, the immunohistochemical study shows high expression of EGF in early normal placentae and moles linking its role to proliferative and differentiating activity of trophoblasts. Tumors with histological diagnosis of invasive moles and choriocarcinoma showed very strong binding of EGF and thus EGF has the potential of identifying high risk lesions.