Growth fractions of breast cancer in relation to epidermal growth factor receptor and estrogen receptor

Growth fractions detected by a monoclonal antibody, Ki-67, were examined in 40 human breast cancer tissues and the results compared with the immunocytochemical reactivities of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and estrogen receptor (ER). The proportion of proliferating cells displaying Ki-67 positive staining was significantly higher in the EGFR positive tumors than in the EGFR negative tumors (p less than 0.01). The average percentage of Ki-67 positive cells in the EGFR positive tumors was 19.9 per cent, whereas that in the EGFR negative tumors was 8.0 per cent. By contrast, an inverse relationship between the proportion of proliferating cells and ER positive cells detected by anti-ER monoclonal antibody was observed. This data indicated the difference in growth fractions with relation to the EGFR and ER status of breast cancer.     

Comparative study on estrogen receptor, epidermal growth factor and epidermal growth factor receptor using immunocytochemical and biochemical assays in breast cancer

Estrogen receptor (ER), epidermal growth factor (EGF) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) were examined by immunocytochemical and biochemical assays in 86 breast carcinomas. The following results were obtained. 1. ER was stained in cellular nuclei by immunocytochemical assay using anti-ER monoclonal antibody. ER positive stained tumor cells were distributed in the various patterns. 2. Immunocytochemical analysis of ER was evaluated with the percentage of ER positive cells and the staining intensity. ER values between immunocytochemical and biochemical assays accorded in 79 out of 86 cases (91.9%). Significant correlation was obtained in both assays (p less than 0.01). A high tendency of the percentage of ER positive cells was demonstrated in PgR positive cases. 3. EGFR was evaluated as positive in 12 out of 38 cases (31.6%) by immunocytochemical assay and in 13 out of 38 (34.4%) by biochemical competitive binding assay using 125I labeled EGF, respectively. A significant inverse relationship was obtained between ER and EGFR values (p less than 0.05). 4. EGF was evaluated as positive in 22 out of 38 cases by immunocytochemical assay. EGF expression was observed in all EGFR positive tumors. Compared with ER and EGF staining, the percentage of ER positive cells was higher in EGF negative tumors than in EGF positive ones (p less than 0.05).     

An immunohistological study of breast cancer-with special reference to the expression of carbohydrate antigens and estrogen receptor status

An investigation carried out on 100 cases of primary breast cancer, both clinicopathologically and immunohistologically, revealed estrogen receptor (ER)-positive cases to be found significantly more often in early stage cancer than advanced stage cancer. On the other hand, ER negative cases were found to have a greater incidence of high-grade lymph node metastasis and were seen significantly more frequently in large tumors. Span-1, CA19-9, and SLEX antigens were detected in 33 per cent, 38 per cent, and 64 per cent of the total cases, respectively and the ratio of ER negative cases was significantly higher in each antigen positive group. Irrespective of the presence or absence of lymph node metastasis, ER negative cases were found significantly more often in antigen-positive groups than in their counterparts and tumor size tended to be greater in the antigen-positive cases. The results of this study thus indicated that the disease progression in breast cancer appears to be correlated with ER status and carbohydrate antigen expression.     

Studies on biological characteristics of undifferentiated carcinoma of the esophagus]

To study the biological characteristics of undifferentiated carcinoma of the esophagus, the nuclear DNA content, the growth fraction using monoclonal antibody Ki-67 (Ki-67), immunohistochemical expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and the grade of Leu-7 positive cells infiltrating at the marginal area of the cancerous tissue were measured in 5 cases of undifferentiated carcinoma and 131 cases of squamous cell carcinoma. The following results were obtained. 1) DNA aneuploid was found in 60% of undifferentiated carcinoma, 47% of squamous cell carcinoma. 2) The Ki-67 labeling rates of undifferentiated carcinoma were higher than those of squamous cell carcinoma, and a variable proportion of Ki-67 labeling rates of undifferentiated carcinoma was ranging from 12% to 34%. It was demonstrated that undifferentiated carcinoma had high proliferative potential. 3) The expression of the EGFR was stained in the basal cell and parabasal layers of normal epithelia. In squamous cell carcinoma, EGFR was located on the cancer cell membrane and was observed 79%, while in all cases of undifferentiated carcinoma, it was not detected. 4) The grade of Leu-7 positive cells was related to pathological stage and prognosis in squamous cell carcinoma. The patients with low grade of Leu-7 positive cells frequently had early recurrences of the carcinoma after esophagectomy, and their prognosis was poorer than those with higher grade of Leu-7 positive cells. The patients of undifferentiated carcinoma, independently of pathological stage, were observed low grade of Leu-7 positive cells and had poor prognosis except only one case. Therefore undifferentiated carcinoma seems to be escaped from defensive mechanism of host immune response.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Ki-67在T1期乳腺癌中的表达及其与Her-2和ER的关系

目的 研究Ki-67在T1期乳腺癌的表达情况,以及其与雌激素受体(ER)、人表皮生长因子受体-2(Her-2)的关系,指导早期乳腺癌的预后判断.方法 选择2008年1月至2011年6月的女性新发T1期乳腺癌组织共60例,免疫组化检测Ki-67的表达情况,并分析其表达与临床病理特征和Her-2、ER表达的关系.结果 60...     

Expression of human epidermal growth factor and its receptor in esophageal cancer

The expression of human epidermal growth factor (hEGF) was examined immunohistochemically in 86 esophageal cancer lesions, comprising 67 primary tumors and 19 metastatic lymph nodes. In the normal esophagus, the parabasal and intermediate cell layers showed a weak expression of hEGF, however, hEGF-positive tumor cells were detected in 62 (92.5 per cent) of the 67 primary esophageal carcinomas and in 18 (94.7 per cent) of the 19 metastatic lymph nodes. In this study, the immunoreactivity of hEGF was classified into 4 grades according to the number of stained tumor cells. A significant correlation was observed between the histologic type and the grade of hEGF immunoreactivity (Chisquare test, p<0.01). hEGF immunoreactivity in well differentiated squamous cell carcinomas was significantly higher than in other squamous cell carcinomas, although there were no correlations between other pathological findings and hEGF immunoreactivity. Patients with hEGF immunoreactivities of grades II or III had much worse prognoses than those with grades 0 or I (p<0.05). In 22 esophageal carcinomas and 10 normal esophageal mucosae, EGF receptor (EGFR) contents were measured by the competitive binding assay. The average EGFR content (101.3±35.7 fmol/mg protein, mean±SE) of the esophageal carcinomas was significantly higher than that (5.3±1.2) of the normal esophageal mucosae (p<0.05). Moreover, in hEGF negative tumors, EGFR contents were lower than in hEGF positive tumors. These results suggest that hEGF and EGFR show increased production in squamous cell carcinomas and could to be useful prognostic factors in patients with esophageal cancer.     

Monoclonal antibody Ki-67 defined growth fraction in benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatic cancer

Growth fractions were assessed immunohistochemically in prostatic tissues with benign glandular hyperplasia (BPH) and in specimens of prostatic cancer using the monoclonal antibody Ki-67. This antibody is specific for a proliferation-associated nuclear antigen. In BPH tissues about 0.3% of nuclei of epithelial cells was reactive with Ki-67. The Ki-67 positive nuclei were distributed equally among the basal and luminal cells of the hyperplastic prostatic acini. In prostatic cancer the Ki-67 defined growth fraction ranged from 0.4% to 9.1% (mean value 2.9%). Cancers with a cribriform growth pattern and tumors composed of solid areas of undifferentiated cancer cells showed the highest growth fraction (average values 4.0%, respectively 7.6%). The investigated four tumors composed of undifferentiated solitary tumor cells with diffuse infiltration of the stroma demonstrated an unexpectedly low growth activity (average 1.2%). In cancers with a glandular growth pattern the Ki-67 defined growth fraction of tumor cells varied from 2.2% to 5%. Compared with other epithelial tumors these values are low, but they are in agreement with the earlier findings on prostatic cancer obtained with 3H-thymidine labeling and bromodeoxyuridine incorporation. The observed variation in the level of Ki-67 defined growth activity partly related to the histological tumor pattern suggests that Ki-67 labeling may serve as a prognostic factor additional to the current histopathological grading criteria of prostatic cancer.     

Expression of human epidermal growth factor and its receptor in esophageal cancer

The expression of human epidermal growth factor (hEGF) was examined immunohistochemically in 86 esophageal cancer lesions, comprising 67 primary tumors and 19 metastatic lymph nodes. In the normal esophagus, the parabasal and intermediate cell layers showed a weak expression of hEGF, however, hEGF-positive tumor cells were detected in 62 (92.5 per cent) of the 67 primary esophageal carcinomas and in 18 (94.7 per cent) of the 19 metastatic lymph nodes. In this study, the immunoreactivity of hEGF was classified into 4 grades according to the number of stained tumor cells. A significant correlation was observed between the histologic type and the grade of hEGF immunoreactivity (Chi-square test, p less than 0.01). hEGF immunoreactivity in well differentiated squamous cell carcinomas was significantly higher than in other squamous cell carcinomas, although there were no correlations between other pathological findings and hEGF immunoreactivity. Patients with hEGF immunoreactivities of grades II or III had much worse prognoses than those with grades 0 or I (p less than 0.05). In 22 esophageal carcinomas and 10 normal esophageal mucosae, EGF receptor (EGFR) contents were measured by the competitive binding assay. The average EGFR content (101.3 +/- 35.7 fmol/mg protein, mean +/- SE) of the esophageal carcinomas was significantly higher than that (5.3 +/- 1.2) of the normal esophageal mucosae (p less than 0.05). Moreover, in hEGF negative tumors, EGFR contents were lower than in hEGF positive tumors. These results suggest that hEGF and EGFR show increased production in squamous cell carcinomas and could to be useful prognostic factors in patients with esophageal cancer.     

The relationship of estrogen receptor status to DNA ploidy in breast cancer

The relationship of estrogen receptor(ER) status to DNA ploidy was investigated in 121 patients with breast cancer who underwent surgery. Lymph node status was evaluated histologically and ER levels were determined by the dextran-coated charcoal method, with a level of 3 fmol/mg·protein being considered positive. Flow cytometric DNA content was analyzed using paraffin-embedded tissue blocks. Sixty-three per cent of the specimens were ER+, while 37 per cent were negative. Sixty-one patients (50.4 per cent) were diploid and 60 aneuploid. A statistically significant correlation between the ER positivity rate and diploid DNA was found. Higher ER levels were seen in the postmenopausal patients with diploid tumors than in those with aneuploid tumors and there was a significant tendency for ER levels to be higher in the diploid tumors. Nodal status was not correlated with ER positivity or ploidy pattern. The present results indicate that ER levels are correlated with DNA ploidy, and reflect the degree of functional differentiation.     

联合检测乳腺癌组织中CK5／6、Ki一67表达的临床意义

目的检测细胞角蛋白5／6（CK5／6）和Ki-67在乳腺癌组织中的表达情况,并探讨其临床意义。方法应用免疫组织化学方法检测162例乳腺癌患者中CK5／6与Ki．67的表达情况,分析CK5／6与Ki．67表达的相关性以及其与乳腺癌患者的临床病理资料的关系。结果162例乳腺癌患者中三阴性乳腺癌（ER、PR及Her阴性）共12例。CK5／6和Ki．67在162例乳腺癌患者中的表达阳性率分别为30．9％（50／162）及65．4％（106／162）,其在三阴性乳腺癌患者中的表达阳性率均明显高于其在非三阴性乳腺癌患者中的表达[CK5／6：75．0％（9／12）比27．3％（41／150）,X=11．837,P=0．001;Ki-67：100％（12／12）比62．7％（94／150）,X=6．847,P=0．009]。CK5／6与Ki．67在乳腺癌中的表达均与患者年龄无关（P〉0．05）,均与组织学分级有关（P〈0．05）。CK5／6在乳腺癌组织中的表达与乳腺肿瘤大小和淋巴结转移无关（P〉O．05）,而Ki．67在乳腺癌组织中的表达却与其有关P〈0．05）。CK5／6与Ki．67在乳腺癌组织中的表达呈显著正相关（rs=0．271,P=-0．000）。Ki．67在乳腺癌组织中的表达为（＋＋）和（＋＋＋）的病例共64例,其中CK5／6阳性率为43．8％（28／64）,明显高于飚．67在乳腺癌组织中表达为（-）和（＋）时的22．4％（22／98）,差异有统计学意义（z2=8．233,P=0．004）。CK5／6和Ki．67在乳腺癌组织中的阳性表达均与ER、PR表达呈显著负相关（CK5／6与ER：rs=-0．446,P=0．000;CK5／6与PR：rs=-0．370,P=0．000;Ki-67与ER：rs=-0．518,P=0．000;Ki．67与PR：rs=-0．515,P=0．000）,二者均与Her-2的阴性表达无明显相关性（CK5／6与Her-2：rs=-0．105,P=0．183;Ki．67与Her-2：rs=-0．068,P=0．393）。结论CK5／6与Ki．67联合检测可以从来源及发展上评估乳腺癌疾病的基本规律,为乳腺癌术后化疗提供指导。     

Ki-67、P53在Her-2阴性乳腺癌中的表达与ER、腋窝淋巴结转移相关性

目的观察Ki-67、P53在Her-2阴性乳腺癌组织中的表达与ER及腋窝淋巴结转移相关性,探讨其临床意义,提示乳腺癌预后。方法 202例Her-2阴性乳腺患者,根据ER表达情况,将患者分为ER阴性组和ER阳性组,其中ER阴性组99例,ER阳性组103例,研究Ki-67、P53在Her-2阴性乳腺癌组织中的表达与ER及腋窝淋巴结转移相关性。结果 Her-2阴性乳腺癌组织中Ki-67增殖指数在ER阴性组表达明显高于ER阳性组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05),Ki-67增殖指数在腋窝淋巴结阳性组明显高于淋巴结阴性组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。P53在ER阴性组表达明显高于ER阳性组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05),P53表达在腋窝淋巴结阳性组和阴性组差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论 Her-2阴性乳腺癌组织中Ki-67增殖指数与ER阴性表达正相关,且腋窝淋巴结转移可能性大,P53与ER阴性表达正相关,与腋窝淋巴结转移无明显相关。提示Ki-67、P53可能为Her-2阴性乳腺癌的不良预后因素。     

Immunohistochemical determination of the estrogen receptor content of gastrointestinal adenocarcinomas.

Recently there have been several reports documenting the presence of estrogen receptors (ERs) in human gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies, raising the possibility that these cancers may be hormonally manipulated. To test this hypothesis, 68 frozen GI tissue specimens were examined for the presence of ERs within the cell nuclei by immunohistochemical staining. There were 51 cancers (25 gastric, 26 colon) and 17 normal tissue specimens (six gastric, 11 colon). Tissue sections 4 to 6 microns thick were incubated with monoclonal antibody H222SP psi, then stained by the peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique for visualization of the ER. The staining was semiquantitatively graded from 0 to 3+ depending on both the intensity of staining and the percentage of cell nuclei stained. A breast cancer specimen known to be strongly positive for the ER was used as a positive control. The 30 male and 21 female cancer patients had a median age of 59 years. All tumors were adenocarcinomas. Eight per cent of the gastric cancers were poorly differentiated, while 94 per cent of the colon cancers were moderately well to well differentiated. Using weak staining of at least 20 per cent of the cell nuclei as the minimum requirement for an ER positive tumor (1+, 0/51 tumors and 0/17) normal specimens were positive for ER. Only three out of 25 (12%) gastric tumors, and two out of 26 (8%) colon tumors demonstrated any staining; each exhibited weak staining of only five to ten per cent of the tumor nuclei.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

PTEN，表皮生长因子受体和Ki-67在胸腺瘤中的表达及其临床意义

目的探讨张力蛋白同源、10号染色体缺失的磷酸酶基因（phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten，PTEN）、表皮生长因子受体（epidermal growth factor receptor，EGFR）及增殖性核抗原Ki-67在人胸腺瘤发生、浸润和转移中表达的生物学意义及其相互关系。方法采用免疫组织化学SP法，检测45例胸腺瘤患者中PTEN、EGFR和Ki-67的表达，用5例先天性心脏病手术患者的正常胸腺组织作对照。结果5例正常胸腺组织中，PTEN全部为阳性表达，EGFR仅微量阳性表达，Ki-67无1例阳性表达。45例胸腺瘤组织中，从良性胸腺瘤、侵袭性胸腺瘤到胸腺癌，PTEN阳性表达率逐渐下降，差异有统计学意义（x^2=7．808，P=0．020）；EGFR、Ki-67表达率逐渐增高，差异有统计学意义（x^2=8．032，0．018，7．006，P=0．030）；PTEN、EGFR和Ki-67的阳性表达率与胸腺瘤的肿瘤性质、Masaoka分期及淋巴结转移等参数有关（P〈0．05）；PTEN与EGFR、Ki-67的表达呈负相关（r=0．632，-0．653；P〈O．01），EGFR与Ki-67的表达呈正相关（r-0．807，P〈O．01）。结论胸腺瘤的发病分子机制中存在多种基因变异，PTEN的失表达和EGFR、Ki-67的过度表达在其发生、浸润和转移中起一定的作用；PTEN、EGFR和Ki-67的异常表达密切相关，共同影响着胸腺瘤的发生、发展，三者的检测有助于对胸腺瘤的早期诊断，并判断其恶性程度、侵袭和转移能力及预后。     

Relationships between Ki-67 labelling index,amplification of the epidermal growth factor receptor gene,and prognosis in human glioblastomas

Summary The aim of this study was to determine possible relationships between Ki-67 labelling index (Ki-67 LI), amplification of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene, and prognosis in human glioblastomas. Ki-67 LI was determined on cryosections of biopsy specimens of 20 human glioblastomas with a mouse antihuman Ki-67 monoclonal antibody. Amplification of the EGFR gene was determined by slot blot and Southern blot analyses of DNA extracted from the tumour biopsies. The Ki-67 LI was higher in the glioblastoma group with EGFR gene amplification (8 tumours, median value of Ki-67 LI 4.2, range 0.4–24.6) than in those without EGFR gene amplification (12 tumours, median value of Ki-67 LI 0.8, range 0.2–11.8) (0.05 p<0.1). The glioblastoma patients with Ki-67 LI>1.5 (10 tumours) had a statistically significant shorter survival than those with Ki-67 LI<1.5 (10 tumours) (p<0.05). The glioblastoma patients with EGFR gene amplification lived shorter time than those without EGFR gene amplification (p>0.05).     

Growth fractions of transitional cell carcinomas of the bladder defined by the monoclonal antibody Ki-67

We used an immunohistochemical technique with the monoclonal antibody Ki-67, which recognizes nuclear antigen expressed in proliferating cells to determine the growth fractions of 5 normal mucosa specimens and 55 transitional cell carcinomas of the bladder. Normal mucosa had a mean value of 0.37 +/- 0.35% cells positive for Ki-67, whereas 9 histological grade 1 tumors showed 2.2 +/- 1.5%, 31 grade 2 tumors averaged 10.1 +/- 7.5% and 15 grade 3 tumors yielded 19.5 +/- 9.0%. These values were significantly different from each other (p less than 0.01), with Ki-67 indexes for grade 2 varying from 0.3 to 24.6%. Nonpapillary tumors had significantly higher indexes than papillary tumors (20.1 +/- 8.0 versus 6.7 +/- 5.9, p less than 0.01). The Ki-67 indexes were 4.6 +/- 4.5% for stage Ta (20 cases), 7.8 +/- 4.7% for stage T1 (14) and 20.2 +/- 7.8% for stages equal to or higher than T2 (21). Significant differences were noted between stages Ta and T1 (p less than 0.05) and between stages T1 and T2 or greater (p less than 0.01). Tumors with muscle layer invasion often showed more than 15% Ki-67 positive cells. Our results imply that Ki-67 indexes not only provide objective information to determine a malignant potential but also help to select the treatment.     

The discrepancy between immunocytochemical and biochemical assay of estrogen receptor in breast cancer patients treated by endocrine therapy

Estrogen receptor (ER) expression was investigated by ER-immunocytochemical assay (ICA) and the dextran coated charcoal (DCC) method in 10 recurrent or primary-advanced breast cancer patients treated with endocrine or chmmo-endocrine therapy. In 6 of these 10 patients, ER was examined both before and after treatments by the 2 methods. ER contents measured by the DCC method were found to be decreased after treatments, however, no change in the immunoreactivities of ER-ICA was observed. In the remaining 4 patients, the ER of new lesions refractory to endocrine or chemo-endocrine therapy was examined. ER status was determined as negative in 3 of the 4 patients by the DCC method, whereas by ER-ICA, the proportion of ER stained cells was about 70 per cent, those cells being diffusely distributed in the section. A discrepancy between ER-ICA and the DCC method was thus demonstrated in breast cancer patients treated by endocrine therapy.     

HER2阳性乳腺癌患者新辅助化疗后免疫分型变化的研究

目的探讨HER2阳性乳腺癌新辅助化疗后雌激素受体(ER)、孕激素受体(PR)、细胞增殖核抗原Ki－67(Ki－67)、HER2变化。 方法回顾性分析2012年1月至2017年12月进行乳腺癌新辅助化疗且HER2为阳性的患者66例资料。所有患者化疗前行经超声引导下穿刺取病理活检,并于术后行病理检查。采用SPSS19.0统计学软件处理,观察患者在辅助化疗前后ER、PR、Ki67、HER2水平变化,采用(例,%)表示,行卡方检验,以P<0.05为差异有统计学意义。 结果66例HER2阳性乳腺癌新辅助化疗患者化疗后,PR出现上调表达最高,为19.32%,同时也是下调表达最高,为25.57%;ER保持不变比例最高(74.43%);Ki67下调率为23.86%,明显高于上调率的12.50%,保持不变比例63.64%;66例患者中7例患者经过新辅助化疗后HER2转为阴性,转阴率为10.61%。 结论HER2阳性乳腺癌新辅助化疗后部分患者的ER、PR、会出现上调或者下调的变化,Ki－67出现一定比例的下降、HER2部分转阴,这种变化对乳腺癌的分型以及术后治疗药物的选择均会产生影响。     

真空辅助下11G空芯针穿刺活检预测乳腺癌病理及分子亚型的准确性研究

目的 评估真空辅助下11G空芯针穿刺活检预测乳腺癌病理及分子业型的准确性.方法 回顾性分析广东省妇幼保健院2014年3月1日-2015年3月31日术前接受真空辅助11 G活检确诊为乳腺癌并随后行手术切除患者的临床资料.Kappa检验比较11 G空芯针穿刺标本与相应手术切除标本的病理类型、雌激素受体(ER)、孕激素受体(PR)、人表皮生长因子受体2(Her-2)、Ki-67、分子亚型的符合率.对免疫组化提示Her-2呈(++)的标本,则需荧光原位杂交(FISH)进一步明确状态.乳腺癌分子亚型分成Luminal A、Luminal B、Her-2过表达型及三阴型.结果 36例乳腺癌中(浸润性癌32例),穿刺标本与手术标本的病理类型、ER、PR、Her-2、Ki-67、分子亚型的符合率依次为94.4％(κ=0.934)、96.9％(κ=0.904)、87.5％(κ=0.710)、100％(κ=1.000)、84.4％(κ =0.570)、78.1％(κ=0.621).配对t检验显示两者间ER、PR、Ki-67表达值差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05).两者间Her-2过表达型及Luminal B亚型符合率较好,分别为100％、94.1％.三阴型的符合率较差(33.3％),其次为Luminal A型(50％).如将ER/PR 的阳性标准从≥1％调整为≥10％,Ki-67的截断值调整为≥20％.ER、PR、Ki-67、分子亚型的符合率可高达100％、93.8％、87.5％、81.3％.结论 术前真空辅助11G空芯针穿刺活检可准确预测乳腺癌病理类型及分子亚型.     

Correlation of epidermal growth factor receptor status and clinical outcome in gastric carcinoma

Analysis of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was performed on 242 primary gastric carcinomas and the results correlated with histologic findings and S-phase fractions measured by bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling. They were stained for EGFR by means of an indirect immunoperoxidase technique using a monoclonal antibody against the receptor. Seventy-six of these cancer tissues exhibited EGFR reactivities. All the cancer cell membranes were stained and sometimes the stroma were stained. These EGFR status were then compared on the basis of pathologic findings including macroscopic type, depth of invasion, differentiation type, vascular invasion and lymph node metastasis. Staining for EGFR in Borrmann's 3 or 4 type was significantly stronger than those in other macroscopic types. The staining for EGFR was closely related to the poorly differentiated type and frequent serosal involvement. BrdU labeling index was studied in 25 cases. These values were from 2.3% to 18.6%, with a mean of 10.4%. The mean BrdU labeling index of EGFR positive cases was 12.2%, of negative cases 7.6%, respectively. There was a good correlation between BrdU labeling index and EGFR status. In addition, There was a signifiCANT 8P less than 0.05) correlation between the presence of the EGFR and poor prognosis. However, EGFR status was not significantly correlated with the lymph node metastasis, vessel invasion and size of the tumors. These results indicate that demonstration of EGFR status may be useful in prognosis and this receptor may be a suitable target for therapy.