Korean J Pathol.  2005 Feb;39(1):15-22.

The Expressions of Tyrosine Kinase Receptors, EphA2, c-met and c-erbB-2 in the Human Breast

• Min SK
• Cho HD
• Cho SJ
• Park HR
• Shin HS
• Park YE
• Yeom BW

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Tyrosine kinase receptor (TKR) is an important protein for normal-development, growth and tumorigenesis in human tissues. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of TKR in the progression of breast cancer.
METHODS
The expressions of EphA2, c-met and c-erbB-2 were examined, by using immunohistochemical methods and RT-PCR, in samples of breast tissue that included 111 samples of normal epithelium, 34 samples of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), and 109 samples of invasive ductal carcinomas (IDC). The results were compared with the prognostic parameters of breast cancer including the tumor grade, growth pattern, lymph node metastasis and the expressions of ER, PR, p53 and Ki-67.
RESULTS
The protein expressions of the three TKRs were higher in DCIS and IDC than in normal epithelium. The protein expression of EphA2 was correlated with a tumor grade, a labeling index of Ki-67, and the protein expression of c-met. Overexpression of c-erbB-2 was correlated with lymph node metastasis. The mRNA levels of the three TKRs were correlated with each other in normal tissue and IDC. The level of c-met mRNA was higher in the low grade tumors.
CONCLUSIONS
The three TKRs may play roles in the tumorigenesis of human breast cancer. The overexpressions of EphA2 and c-erbB-2 may be a poor prognostic parameter in breast cancers.

Keyword

EphA2; c-met; erbB-2; Tyrosine kinase receptors; Breast cancer

MeSH Terms

Breast Neoplasms
Breast*
Carcinogenesis
Carcinoma, Ductal
Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating
Epithelium
Humans*
Lymph Nodes
Neoplasm Metastasis
Protein-Tyrosine Kinases*
Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases*
RNA, Messenger
Tyrosine*
Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
RNA, Messenger
Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
Tyrosine