Levels and Regulation of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor in Human Breast Cancer

Rinaldi, Frank (1991) Levels and Regulation of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor in Human Breast Cancer. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Recent data suggest that, in addition to hormones, growth factors and their receptors play a role in human breast cancer. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is proposed to play a significant part in breast tumour cell mitogenesis and has been used as a marker of poor patient prognosis. Utilising a ligand binding assay system it was demonstrated that EGFR was present in 38% (75/199) of primary breast tumours analysed. Concentrations of EGFR found ranged from 69.6 - 28201.0 fmoles. mg-1 tumour cell DNA for the high affinity , low capacity binding site, and 163.0 - 9680.0 fmoles mg-1. DNA for the low affinity binding site. Mean values were 1581 +/- 3647.4 and 5223.8 +/- 6233.5 fmoles. mg-1 DNA respectively, median values were 686.5 and 3557.4 fmoles. mg-1 DNA respectively. Within the EGFR positive group only 14 (7%) contained oestrogen receptors (ER). This contrasts with the EGFR negative group in which 99/124 (79%) were ER positive. These results help to confirm the hypothesis that there is a negative correlation between ER and EGFR in human breast cancer, and that there are two subclasses of primary breast tumours in terms of their receptor biochemistry. The ER positive subclass is assumed to be under endocrine control and the EGFR subclass is assumed to be under more local paracrine/autocrine control.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Keywords: Biochemistry, Oncology
• Date of Award: 1991
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:1991-77084
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 14 Jan 2020 09:20
• Last Modified: 14 Jan 2020 09:20
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/77084