1991 Volume 33 Issue 2 Pages 174-181
Localizations of transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-α) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF receptor) in 28 cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma were examined by using an immunohistochemical staining method. TGF-α was demonstrable in 8 of 11 cases of well differentiated and in 8 of 10 cases of moderately differentiated carcinomas, while was detected in 3 of 7 cases of early invasive carcinomas. The expression of EGF receptor was found in most cases except only each one of well differentiated and early invasive carciomas. From this fact, it seemed that the carcinoma tissue was readily able to adapt to proliferation by receiving the signal from the growth factor such as TGF-α via the EGF receptor. Therefore, it is reasonable to consider that a less number of positive cases of TGF-α in the early invasive carcinomas show a lower proliferating activity in these cases. Based on this viewpoint, early diagnosis and treatment are required in oral squamous cell carcinoma.
