C-ERBB-2 in Bladder Cancer: Molecular Biology, Correlation with Epidermal Growth Factor Receptors and Prognostic Value.
Mellon, J. Kilian*; Lunec, John; Wright, Chris; Horne, C. H. Wilson; Kelly, Peter; Neal, David E.
[Miscellaneous Article] Journal of Urology. 155(1):321-326, January 1996.

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Purpose: To study the c-erbB-2 oncogene in primary transitional cell bladder cancer.

Materials and Methods: Ninety-five patients with known clinical follow-up and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr) status were studied for expression of c-erbB-2 by immunostaining. Possible mechanisms underlying increased staining for c-erbB-2 protein were investigated by analyzing DNA and RNA encoding c-erbB-2.

Results: Strong positive staining for c-erbB-2 was detected in 20 (21 percent) tumors, with weaker staining in a further 13 (14 percent). There was no correlation between increased staining for c-erbB-2 and tumor stage, grade, or EGFr status. There was a low rate of amplification of the c-erbB-2 gene (1 of 24) on Southern blotting with a higher rate of elevated c-erbB-2 mRNA (4 of 44) with dot blot hybridization. For pT1 tumors, the rate of recurrence was higher for those tumors which were positive for c-erbB-2.

Conclusions: c-erbB-2 oncoprotein is expressed by a significant proportion of transitional cell tumors of the bladder. In this study, the prognostic significance of c-erbB-2 expression appears limited.

(C) 1996 by the American Urological Association, Inc.