Proliferation-associated monoclonal antibodies: a useful tool for prognosis in squamous cell carcinomas of head and neck?

Three different proliferation-associated monoclonal antibodies have been studied immunohistochemically to evaluate their prognostic value in patients with squamous cell carcinomas of head and neck. The monoclonal antibody Ki 67 shows a heterogeneous distribution pattern, whereas epidermal growth factor receptor and transferrin receptor expression show a homogeneous one. Concluding from our results the chances to use the described monoclonal antibodies as prognostic markers are limited.