Comparative analysis of the EGF-receptor family in pancreatic cancer: expression of HER-4 correlates with a favourable tumor stage.

摘要: BACKGROUND Of major interest for a better molecular understanding of pancreatic cancer is the EGF receptor family. While HER-1 (EGF-receptor) and HER-2 have been extensively studied, little known about clinical significance HER-3 especially HER-4 expression. METHODS We investigated expression HER-1, HER-2, in 11 cell lines using FACS-analysis determined overexpression these receptors 24 specimens. Therefore, we used two different immunostaining techniques: highly sensitive streptavidin-biotin method showed while an approximatly 10-fold less indirect immunperoxidase technique receptor-overexpression. RESULTS were expressed by all lines, was found 82% 54% lines. Low levels detected tumor samples but only 33%, 25% 50% cases, respectively. 37% specimens seen one patient only. increased parallel with stage R0-resected tumors significantly often compared to R1/R2 resected (p < 0.05). In contrast, vs. 18% = 0.07) exclusively non-metastatic 0.0149). CONCLUSION Our data indicate that contributes more aggressive phenotype. lack might increase metastatic capacity cells.