Overexpression of C-fos and C-erbb1 encoded proteins in squamous-cell carcinomas of the lung of smokers.

Seventy-eight human squamous cell carcinomas of the lung of previously untreated patients were analyzed for expression of c-fos and c-erbB1 proteins by means of immunohistochemistry. Of the tumors investigated expression of c-fos protein was detected in 60% and of c-erbB1 protein in 77%. Carcinomas of smokers significantly express more frequently c-fos and c-erbB1 protein than carcinomas of non-smokers (p<0.05).