[Expression of epidermal growth factor receptors and their ligands in malignant tumors of the breast].

Epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR) have been investigated in the tumors of 166 breast cancer patients and concentrations of their ligands (alpha-TGF and EGF) were measured in 104 tumors by radioimmunoassay. EGFR and both growth factors were simultaneously detected in 18% and EGFR and one of the ligands were found in 11%. There were trends to higher frequency of EGFR expression in advanced tumors, in ductal and lobular infiltrative cancers with high grade of malignancy and in estrogen receptor negative breast cancers.