Oncogene expression and microvessel count in recurrent and nonrecurrent stage Ib squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate p53, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and c-erbB-2 oncogene expression and compare it with micro vessel count (MVC) in determining the clinical outcome of stage Ib squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the cervix. STUDY DESIGN: Immunostaining with p53, EGFR, C-erbB-2 and factor VIII antibodies was performed on tumor sections from 22 patients (11 with cancer recurrence, 11 free of cancer after four years). The levels of oncogene expression were semiquantitatively graded (0-4). Microvessels were counted (per 200 xfield) in areas of highest neovascularization. RESULTS: Eight of 11 patients (72.7%) with recurrence expressed EGFR as compared with 5 of 11 patients (45.5%) free of disease. This difference is not significant (P = .39). An equal number of patients with and without recurrence expressed c-erbB-2. Five of 11 patients (45.5%) with recurrence expressed p53, as compared with 6 of 11 (54.5%) free of disease (P=1.00). Eight of 11 patients (72.7%) with recurrence had an MVC above 24 as compared with 2 of 11 patients (18.2%) free of disease ; this difference was statistically significant (P=.03), CONCLUSION: The expression of EGFR, p53 and c-erbB-2 appears to have little prognostic value in stage Ib SCC of the uterine cervix. The prognostic value ofMVC is in keeping with previous findings.