A close correlation between c-erbB-2 gene amplification and local progression in endometrial adenocarcinoma.

The c-erbB-2 proto-oncogene is a gene that encodes a growth factor receptor-like molecule with tyrosine kinase activity. The purpose of this study was to determine whether c-erbB-2 gene amplification measured by the simple and sensitive differential polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method correlates with clinicopathological factors in endometrial adenocarcinomas. Overall, 7 out of the 38 endometrial adenocarcinomas (18.4%) displayed amplified c-erbB-2 oncogene. No correlation between c-erbB-2 gene amplification and FIGO stage, histologic grade or existence of metastatic disease was found. There was a significant association between c-erbB-2 gene amplification and deep myometrial invasion. In the current study, it has been suggested that c-erbB-2 gene amplification is possibly involved in local progression but is not closely related to the loss of cell differentiation and metastasis.