Immunohistochemical analysis of epidermal growth factor receptor in human uterine leiomyomas in relation to endometrial hormonal pattern.

J. Nagalakshmi @ Vijayambika; Suksham Samir; Geetha Prakash

Volume : V, Issue : XII, December - 2016

Immunohistochemical analysis of epidermal growth factor receptor in human uterine leiomyomas in relation to endometrial hormonal pattern.

J. Nagalakshmi Vijayambika, Suksham Samir, Geetha Prakash

Abstract :

Aim: To analyze the expression of EGFR and find the significance of upregulation of EGFR in uterine leiomyomas in different phases of endometrium. Materials and methods: A total of 50 leiomyoma specimens were selected of which 20 cases showing proliferative phase in endometrium, 20 cases showing secretory phase in endometrium and 10 cases of normal myometrium used as control. Haematoxylin and Eosin slides of all the tissues were evaluated.?e formalin fixed, paraffin embedded blocks were sliced in 3–4 �m thickness for IHC. ?e Avidin Biotin complex (ABC) detection system was used. Immunoreactivity was regarded as positive when own staining was localized in the cytoplasm of leiomyoma cells.Results: ?e intensity of immunostaining in leiomyoma and matched myometrium in both phases of menstrual cycle was observed and graded as 0,1+,2+ and 3+. Conclusion: EGFR protein expression in leiomyoma cells predominated in the secretory phase compared to that in the proliferative phase. So it is likely that progesterone may participate in leiomyoma growth through the induction of EGFR protein in leiomyoma cells. ?erefore the abundant expression of EGFR protein in leiomyoma may be one of the molecular basis for the enhanced growth of leiomyoma relative to that of normal myometrium in the uterus.