Immunohistochemical assay for epidermal growth factor receptor on paraffin-embedded sections: validation against ligand-binding assay and clinical relevance in breast cancer.

摘要: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been the subject of much research since it was first described as a prognostic in breast cancer. The assay methods used and results obtained vary widely between studies. In this study 88 primary cancers were assayed for EGFR using novel immunohistochemical performed on paraffin-embedded sections. monoclonal antibody raised against purified, denatured EGFR, reacts with an epitope external domain does not interfere ligand binding. Twenty-two per cent tumours positive assay. significantly correlated those by ligand-binding (r = 0.621, P 0.011). concordance rate 82% (P < 0.001). majority discordant could be explained presence benign tissue other non-malignant elements which seen to express excluded from score this, but would incorporated into results. well-established inverse relationship (as measured assay) oestrogen (ER) (chi 2 24.9, 0.0001). addition, exploratory limited tumour set, significant adverse (on univariate multivariate analysis) both relapse-free survival 0.02) overall 0.03) when assay,