Expression of transforming growth factor alpha and epidermal growth factor receptor in human hepatocellular carcinoma

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Abstract
Transforming growth factor alpha (TGF‐alpha) is thought to be involved in liver regeneration, cellular proliferation, and hepatocarcinog‐enesis. We have looked at the relationship between TGF‐alpha and it's receptor, and have attempted to relate the expression of TGF‐alpha and it's receptor to the differentiation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) on serial sections of HCC. We examined immunohistochemically the expression of the TGF‐alpha and of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) proteins in the same area of 53 nodules (pp<0.05). These results led us to speculate that the expression of TGF‐alpha and EGFR might be related to the pattern of histologic differentiation of HCC.