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Expression of c-erbB-2 oncoprotein in human thyroid tumours
J C Utrilla1, I Martín-Lacave, M V San Martín
1Department of Cytology and Histopathology, University of Seville, Spain.
Histopathology
|February 6, 1999
Summary
The c-erbB-2 oncoprotein is overexpressed in papillary and medullary thyroid carcinomas, but not in follicular or anaplastic types. This suggests a role for c-erbB-2 in the progression of specific thyroid cancers.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Pathology
Background:
- c-erbB-2 oncoprotein is a potential marker for aggressive tumors.
- Its role in thyroid tumor development and progression remains controversial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate c-erbB-2 oncoprotein overexpression in a large series of human thyroid tumors.
- To analyze expression across follicular and C-cell thyroid cancer types.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was used to study 67 thyroid tumors.
- A polyclonal antibody against c-erbB-2 oncoprotein was employed on paraffin-embedded sections with antigen retrieval.
Main Results:
- No c-erbB-2 expression was found in follicular adenomas, follicular carcinomas, or anaplastic carcinomas.
- 52% of papillary carcinomas and 100% of medullary carcinomas showed c-erbB-2 immunopositivity.
- Distinct patterns of c-erbB-2 immunoreactivity were observed based on tumor type.
Conclusions:
- Overexpression of c-erbB-2 oncoprotein is detectable in specific thyroid tumors via immunohistochemistry.
- c-erbB-2 may contribute to disease progression in papillary and medullary thyroid carcinomas.
- Further research is needed to understand the significance of different c-erbB-2 expression patterns.