Quantitative analysis of c-erbB-2 protein in breast cancer tissue by enzyme immunoassay.

The introduction of c-erbB-2 protein to clinical medicine as a prognostic indicator and tumor marker is desired. The authors determined the concentration of c-erbB-2 protein in 81 breast cancer tissues by enzyme immunoassay. The concentration of c-erbB-2 protein in breast cancer tissues showed a broad spectrum. A significant correlation was observed between tissue c-erbB-2 protein concentration and estrogen receptor status or immunohistochemical determination. In patients with distant metastases, there was a close association between c-erbB-2 protein concentration in the primary tumor and serum c-erbB-2 protein level. Cases with a high tumor concentration of c-erbB-2 protein (> 1000 U/mg total protein; 18.5% of cases) had a poor prognosis. From the above, we concluded the measurement of tissue c-erbB-2 protein by enzyme immunoassay to be clinically useful in breast cancer.