Clinical Significance of the Expression of c-erbB-2 Protein in Colorectal cancer

Etsuji Shimada, Tomoaki Urakawa, Kiyoshi Uematsu

Department of Surgery, Kobe Rosai Hospital

The expression of c-erbB-2 protein was examined immunohistochemically in a total of 75 freshly frozen specimens of colorectal cancer, and correlations between its expression and clinicopathological variables were analyzed. Seventy-five cases were scored by assessing the intensity of staining (strongly positive, weakely positive and negative). The incidence of strongly positive staining of c-erbB-2 protein among the 75 cases was 29.3%, and strongly positive staining was significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis, lymphatic or vascular invasion, liver or lung metastasis and Dukes' stage. These results suggest that the expression of c-erbB-2 protein may serve as a useful biological marker in colorectal cancer.

Key words
c-erbB-2 protein of colorectal cancer

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Etsuji Shimada Department of Surgery, Kobe Rosai Hospital
4-1-23 Kagoikedori, Chuoku, Kobe, 651 JAPAN

Accepted
May 11, 1993

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