He HER-2/neu gene first was identified as the oncogene associated with the develop of neuroblastomas in rats exposed to ethylnitrosourea in utero. The human HER-2/one (c-erbB-2) encodes a cell surface glycoprotein that is similar in structure to
the mal
growth factor receptor(c-erbB). In animal model, it has been shown that HER-2/oncogenic due to a single point mutation in the membrane spanning region. In human fancies. However, HER-2/neu amplification and overexpression rather than point ion
have
been
cemonstrated minantly in epithelial cells; however, the physiological function of HER-2/neu, like of other known peptide growth factor receptors, has not been clarified. In breast , several studies have suggested that overexpression of HER-2/neu
occurs
in 15~40% lcers. Some, but not all, of these studies also have suggested that overexpression of 2/neu is associated with poor survival. In addition, it has been shown that HER-2/neu imes is amplified and overexpressed in other human malignancies
including ovarian
Most recently, it has beensuggested that, as in breast cancer, overexpression of 2/neu in ovarian cancer might be associated with poor survival.
(?) the present study, we have utilized a murine monoclonal antibody specifically, rewith the external domain of HER-2/neu to study expression of HER-2/neu in frozen ias of normal, benign and malignant ovarian tissue using immunohistochemical
techs. The
intensity of staining for HER-2/neu in patients with ovarian cancer was compared to that of normal ovarian epithelium. We examined the relationship between the level of HER-2neu expression and prognostic factors such as age, stage, histological
type,
and histological grade. In addition, we examined the relationship between the level of HER-2/neu expression and survival. The intensity of staining for HER-2/neu was always light or less(0~1+) in normal ovarian epithelium. Among 17 benign ovarian
tumors, 16(94.2%) had staining similar to that for normal ovarian epithelium(0~1+) while 1(5.8%)stained heavily(2+). Among 36 ovarian cancers, 13 (36.1%) had staining similar to that for normal epithelium(0~1+)while 23(63.9%)stained
heavily(2+~3+).
There were no significantly relationship between histological grade, histological type, stage, age and high HER-2/neu expression in 36 patients with ovarian cancers. The difference of survival between high and normal HER-2/neu expression group
was
not
statistically significant, Further studies are needed to clarify the role of HER-2/neu as prognostic marker in ovarian cancer.
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