Distinctive expression pattern of ErbB family receptors signifies an aggressive variant of bladder cancer

Purpose: Expression of various members of the ErbB family (epidermal growth factor receptor/ErbB-1, ErbB-2, ErbB-3 and ErbB-4) is associated with disease stage and survival in patients with urothelial carcinoma. We examined the correlation of ErbB family receptor expression with the progression of urothelial carcinoma and survival. Materials and Methods: A urothelial carcinoma tissue array was constructed from 248 archival paraffin blocks and quality control studies were ascertained. The tissue microarray was stained for epidermal growth factor receptor, ErbB-2, ErbB-3 and ErbB-4, and analyzed using an automated reader. Patient data included grade, stage, growth pattern, recurrence and survival. Results: Kaplan-Meier estimates of 5-year overall and recurrence-free survival were 58% and 27%, respectively. Patients with high grade, invasive or nonpapillary disease had a worse prognosis than patients with low grade, superficial or papillary disease (p<0.0001). High epidermal growth factor receptor or low ErbB-4 expression was associated with nonpapillary, high grade and invasive tumors as well as with significantly shorter recurrence-free and overall survival (p<0.002, 0.028 and 0.047, respectively). Levels of ErbB-2 and ErbB-3 expression were not associated with overall or recurrence-free survival. Conclusions: The expression profiles of ErbB-4 and epidermal growth factor receptor are prognostic in urothelial carcinoma. They may help in selecting patients at high risk with bladder cancer for more aggressive therapy.