EGFR family expression in breast carcinomas. c-erbB-2 and c-erbB-4 receptors have different effects on survival.

One hundred patients with breast carcinoma followed for 7-11 years were included in the present study of EGFR family members, using immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. By immunohistochemistry, 36%, 27%, 26%, and 82% of the tumours were positive for EGFR, c-erbB-2, c-erbB-3, and c-erbB-4. All the immunoreactive tumours were confirmed positive by RT-PCR.