Growth factor receptor and related oncogene determination in mesenchymal tumors

BACKGROUND: Sarcoma are rare malignant neoplasms that originate from a mesenchymal cell line. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) has been identified in these malignant neoplasms by immunohistochemical techniques. METHODS: This investigation has evaluated the gene amplification and expression of EGF-R and the homologous oncogene c-erbB-2 in soft tissue and osseous sarcomas by Southern and northern blot analysis. RESULTS: Amplification of EGF-R and c-erbB-2 was identified in 2 of 117 (1.7%) and 6 of 105 (5.7%) of the sarcomas, respectively. Increased expression of EGF-R and c-erbB-2 was identified in 21 of 43 (49%) and 35 of 94 (37%) sarcomas, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The expression of these two genes in sarcomas appears to occur independently and not be associated with tumor histologic characteristics, grade, size, DNA content, or proliferative activity.