J Korean Cancer Assoc.  2000 Dec;32(6):1100-1108.

C-erbB-2 Protein Expression and Correlation in Sera and Tumors of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients

• Ryoo HM
• Lee SY
• Lee KH
• Hyun MS
• Kim MJ

Abstract

PURPOSE: We have examined the expression of c-erbB-2 oncogene in sera and tissues of non-small cell lung cancer patients.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Serum levels of c-erbB-2 protein were measured by an enzyme im munoassay in 55 patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Sera from patients with surgical therapy were evaluated again after surgery. Immunohistochemical staining was performed in 47 of these tumors.
RESULTS
Elevated levels (> or =45 U/mL, control mean 2SD) were observed in 15% of 55 non-small cell lung cancer patients, as compared with none of control subjects (p<0.05). The incidence of elevated level was higher in the adenocarcinoma than squamous cell carcinoma (22% vs 4%, p<0.01). The serum levels of c-erbB-2 protein decreased significantly after surgical tumor ablation (p<0.01). Tissue overexpression was obtained in 23/47 cases (49%). The incidence of c-erbB-2 overexpression was higher in the adenocarcinoma (73% vs 29%, p<0.005). No relationship was found between c-erbB-2 protein expression in serum and tumor tissue and clinicopathologic feature. Elevated serum c-erbB-2 levels predicted tissue overexpression with sensitivity 30% and specificity 96%. There was relationship between serum level and expression in tumor tissue of c-erbB-2 protein.
CONCLUSION
Serum and tissue levels of c-erbB-2 correlate in patients with non-small cell carcinoma. Serum c-erbB-2 protein may be a useful indicator of tumor burden in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

Keyword

Non-small cell lung cancer; C-erbB-2; Gene

MeSH Terms

Adenocarcinoma
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung*
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell
Humans
Incidence
Oncogenes
Receptor, erbB-2*
Sensitivity and Specificity
Tumor Burden
Receptor, erbB-2