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. 1989 Nov;60(5):673–677. doi: 10.1038/bjc.1989.338

Epidermal growth factor receptor and oestrogen receptors in the non-malignant part of the cancerous breast.

S Barker 1, C Panahy 1, J R Puddefoot 1, A W Goode 1, G P Vinson 1
PMCID: PMC2247316  PMID: 2803944

Abstract

Fifty-one samples of non-malignant tissue from four mastectomies were analysed to assess oestrogen receptor (ER) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) status across the cancerous breast. No significant relationship was found between the presence of EGFR and ER. Eighty-four per cent of these samples were EGFR positive and 29% expressed both receptor types. EGFR and ER expression was not affected by histological sub-group. In contrast, analysis of 44 primary cancers showed, in agreement with the literature, a significant inverse relationship between the presence of ER and EGFR (Fisher's exact test P less than 0.002). The difference between malignant and non-malignant tissue appeared to result from the prevalence of co-expression of EGFR and ER in the non-malignant specimens. This suggests different regulation of receptor expression in malignant and non-malignant tissue.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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