Meanings of c-erbB and int-2 amplification in superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinomas

Background. Accumulation of genetic abnormalities is linked to the development and progression of cancer. We therefore analyzed the correlation between the clinical characteristics of superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients and oncogene amplifications. Methods. Between 1980 and 1991, there were 63 cases of superficial esophageal carcinoma (Tis and T1 cancer) at Keio University Hospital. The T1 cases were divided into two groups: T1a cases, in which the tumor had invaded the lamina propria, and T1b cases, in which the tumor had invaded the submucosa. DNA was isolated from paraffin-embedded blocks. Oncogene amplification was determined by slot-blot hybridization. Results. Amplification of int-2 and c-erbB was detected in 14 and 5, respectively, of the 54 cases. Three of 12 T1b patients with int-2 amplification died of distant organ metastasis. The survival rate for the group with int-2 amplification was significantly lower than that without int-2 amplification. All 4 T1b patients with c-erbB amplification had lymph node metastasis at operation. Conclusions. These findings mean that genetic abnormalities are a useful marker for treating patients with superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinomas.