
pmid: 17962208
The aim of this study is to provide an expression profile of ErbB/HER ligands in breast cancer. We analysed the relationships with their receptors, the bio-pathological features and prognosis.Epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor-alpha (TGFalpha), amphiregulin (AREG), betacellulin (BTC), heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF), epiregulin (EREG) and neuregulins1-4 (NRG1-4) were quantified in 363 tumours by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction using TaqMan probes.Ligands were detected in 80%-96% of the cases, except NRG3 (42%) and EREG (45.5%). At least one ligand was expressed in 304 cases (cut-off: upper quartile). Almost all combinations of receptor and ligand co-expressions were observed, but TGFalpha is preferentially expressed in tumours co-expressing EGFR/HER3, NRG3 in those co-expressing EGFR/HER4, AREG and EREG in those co-expressing HER2/HER4. EGF and AREG were associated with estradiol receptors, small tumour size, low histoprognostic grading, high HER4 levels. TGFalpha, HB-EGF and NRG2 were negatively related to these parameters. In Cox univariate analyses, EGF was a prognostic factor.Our study demonstrates that (i) ErbB/HER ligands, including BTC and EREG, are expressed in most breast cancers; and (ii) TGFalpha, HB-EGF and NRG2 high expressions are related to the biological aggressiveness of the tumours.
EGF Family of Proteins, Epidermal Growth Factor, Gene Expression Profiling, Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast, Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins, Breast Neoplasms, Amphiregulin, Disease-Free Survival, Epiregulin, Neoplasm Proteins, ErbB Receptors, Carcinoma, Lobular, Humans, Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins, Female, Neoplasm Invasiveness, Nerve Growth Factors, Betacellulin, Glycoproteins, Heparin-binding EGF-like Growth Factor
EGF Family of Proteins, Epidermal Growth Factor, Gene Expression Profiling, Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast, Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins, Breast Neoplasms, Amphiregulin, Disease-Free Survival, Epiregulin, Neoplasm Proteins, ErbB Receptors, Carcinoma, Lobular, Humans, Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins, Female, Neoplasm Invasiveness, Nerve Growth Factors, Betacellulin, Glycoproteins, Heparin-binding EGF-like Growth Factor
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 131 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Top 10% | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 1% |
