Barton C M, Hall P A, Hughes C M, Gullick W J, Lemoine N R
ICRF Molecular Oncology Group, Hammersmith Hospital, London, U.K.
J Pathol. 1991 Feb;163(2):111-6. doi: 10.1002/path.1711630206.
Overexpression of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been reported as an important molecular abnormality in human pancreatic cancer. There is in vitro evidence that simultaneous overproduction of one of its ligands, transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha), might result in an autocrine loop with an increased proliferation signal. We analysed by immunocytochemical staining a retrospective series of human pancreatic cancers, chronic pancreatitis, and normal fetal and adult pancreatic tissues for the presence of TGF-alpha and epidermal growth factor (EGF). Ductal epithelial cells showed TGF-alpha immunoreactivity in both normal tissue and chronic pancreatitis, and 95 per cent of tumours showed strong immunoreactivity. In contrast, EGF immunoreactivity was not found in normal pancreas, but was expressed in 12 per cent of pancreatic carcinomas. Well-defined areas of EGF immunoreactivity in exocrine ducts showing reactive changes in pancreatitis might represent a benign response to tissue damage similar to that previously described in the gastric mucosa.
表皮生长因子受体（EGFR）的过表达已被报道为人类胰腺癌中的一种重要分子异常。有体外证据表明，其配体之一转化生长因子α（TGF-α）的同时过量产生可能导致自分泌环，从而增加增殖信号。我们通过免疫细胞化学染色分析了一系列回顾性的人类胰腺癌、慢性胰腺炎以及正常胎儿和成人胰腺组织中TGF-α和表皮生长因子（EGF）的存在情况。导管上皮细胞在正常组织和慢性胰腺炎中均显示TGF-α免疫反应性，95%的肿瘤显示强免疫反应性。相比之下，正常胰腺中未发现EGF免疫反应性，但在12%的胰腺癌中表达。在胰腺炎中显示反应性变化的外分泌导管中明确界定的EGF免疫反应性区域可能代表对组织损伤的良性反应，类似于先前在胃黏膜中描述的情况。
