BACKGROUND: Both tissue c-erbB-2 expression and serum levels the shed protein have been shown to correlate with tumour stage in a range of adenocarcinomas. This study measured serum and urinary c-erbB-2 levels in patients with gastric cancer, assessing their role in cancer-specific survival and the effects of resectional surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Serum and urinary c-erbB-2 concentrations were measured with commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 41 healthy controls and in 54 gastric cancer patients. Serum and urinary c-erbB-2 levels in cancer patients were determined before and 7 days following tumour surgery. RESULTS: Preoperative serum and urinary c-erbB-2 levels in gastric cancer patients were significantly higher than those in controls although there were no significant associations between these levels and tumour pathology. Serum c-erbB-2 levels decreased significantly after radical resection of the primary tumour and were an independent prognostic factor for survival, whereas there were no changes in urinary c-erbB-2 levels after surgery or an association with patient survival. CONCLUSION: Gastric cancer patients show higher serum and urinary c-erbB-2 levels compared to healthy controls. Preoperative serum c-erbB-2 concentration decreases significantly after radical resection of the primary tumour and is an independent prognostic factor for patient survival.
BACKGROUND: Both tissue c-erbB-2 expression and serum levels the shed protein have been shown to correlate with tumour stage in a range of adenocarcinomas. This study measured serum and urinary c-erbB-2 levels in patients with gastric cancer, assessing their role in cancer-specific survival and the effects of resectional surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Serum and urinary c-erbB-2 concentrations were measured with commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 41 healthy controls and in 54 gastric cancerpatients. Serum and urinary c-erbB-2 levels in cancerpatients were determined before and 7 days following tumour surgery. RESULTS: Preoperative serum and urinary c-erbB-2 levels in gastric cancerpatients were significantly higher than those in controls although there were no significant associations between these levels and tumour pathology. Serum c-erbB-2 levels decreased significantly after radical resection of the primary tumour and were an independent prognostic factor for survival, whereas there were no changes in urinary c-erbB-2 levels after surgery or an association with patient survival. CONCLUSION:Gastric cancerpatients show higher serum and urinary c-erbB-2 levels compared to healthy controls. Preoperative serum c-erbB-2 concentration decreases significantly after radical resection of the primary tumour and is an independent prognostic factor for patient survival.