[Expression of epidermal growth factor receptor in gestational trophoblastic tumours].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in gestational trophoblastic tumours and its clinical significance.

METHODS

Placentas of 10 normal early pregnancies, 20 molar pregnancies, 10 samples from invasive mole and 8 samples of choriocarcinoma were used for the study. EGFR expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibody.

RESULTS

EGFR was expressed both in normal chorionic villi and tissues of trophoblastic tumours. EGFR was expressed more strongly in normal chorionic villi and non-malignant transformed hydatidiform mole than in malignant transformed molar pregnancies and malignant trophoblastic tumours (P < 0.05). Univariate and multivariate analysis indicated that EGFR immunostaining intensity was significantly related to the clinical stage in malignant trophoblastic tumours (P = 0.026, OR = 9.874).

CONCLUSION

EGFR expression could be used as an index for prediction of malignant transformation of hydatidiform mole and staging of malignant trophoblastic tumours.