Frequent expression of 75 kDa nerve growth factor receptor and phosphotyrosine in human peripheral nerve tumours: an immunohistochemical study on paraffin-embedded tissues.

One hundred and three benign, and 10 malignant peripheral nerve tumours were examined immunohistochemically for expression of 75 kDa nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR). In benign tumours NGFR was demonstrated at 61% in neurinoma, 71% in neurofibroma, 93% in neurofibromatosis and 90% in traumatic neuroma. Malignant neurogenic tumours were 100% positive for NGFR. Phosphotyrosine-immunoreactivity was detected in 76% of NGFR-positive tumours but the frequency of immunostained tumour cells was low. These results suggest that both benign and malignant peripheral nerve tumours express 75 kDa NGFR. The receptor seems to serve as growth signal transduction of the tumour cells in terms of phosphorylation of the tyrosine residue of the receptor or the target protein of the NGFR protein tyrosine kinase.