Absence of therapeutically relevant c-erbB-2 expression in human hepatocellular carcinomas.

c-erbB-2 (Her-2/neu) represents a well established prognostic marker and therapeutic target in several human tumor types, especially breast cancer. Its potential role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not yet been characterized. Using standardized immunohistochemical procedures, we have analyzed the c-erbB-2 expression in a representative panel of human HCCs. Our data demonstrate the absence of significant membranous expression or cytoplasmic overexpression. Thus c-erbB-2 is neither a prognostic marker nor a relevant therapeutic target in human HCCs.