Expression and significance of C-erbB2,CD44v5 in human ovarian cancer

[Objective] To demonstrate immunohistochemical expression of c-erbB2, CD44v5 and proteins in ovarian cancers and epithelial benign tumors, to establish their correlation with clinical stages, histological types, grades and lymphoid metastasis of ovarian cancer. [Methods] We performed immunohistochemical analysis of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens from 41 ovarian cancers, 20 ovarian epithelial benign tumors using the anti-C-erbB2, and CD44v5 monoclonal antibodies. [Results] (1) The positive expression of C-erbB2, CD44v5 in ovarian cancers was significantly higher than in epithelial benign tumors (P 0.01). (2) The positive and over-expression of C-erbB2 in moderately, poorly differentiated tissues was significantly higher than in well-differentiated tissues (P 0.01).(3) The positive and over expression of CD44v5 in lymphoid metastasis of ovarian cancers was significantly higher than in unlymphoid metastasis ones (P 0.01). (4) The positive, level expression and co-expression of C-erbB2, CD44v5 in Ⅲ-Ⅳstage of ovarian cancers was significantly higher than in Ⅰ-Ⅱ stage of ovarian cancers (P 0.05). [Conclusion] The two molecules may relate to the oncogensis of ovarian cancer. The over-expression of C-erbB2 cancer cells proliferate actively. CD44v5 may has certain content in the porgression of lymphoid metastasis. The two molecules have certain content in function and may relate to the oncogensis and progression of ovarian cancer.