Abstract: Objective To investigate the relationship and significance of c-erbB-2 and EGFR in vulvar white lesions. Methods Biopsies from 39 patients with vulvar white lesions(11 cases with lichen sclerosus,19 cases with squamous hyperplasia, 9 cases with SH and LS) were examined for expression of c-erbB-2 and EGFR using immunohistochemical techniques. The average age of 39 patients with vulvar white lesion was 47.0(26～72) years. Normal vulvar skin from 11 patients with other benign gynecologic diseases with average age of 46.1(32～68) years were used as control. One thousand cells in 4 high power field were examined for each sample. A semi-quantitative analysis was made on the basis of number of positive cells and staining intensity: negative 0～3; positive 4～7. Results There was significant difference of expression of EGFR among four groups(χ²=8.56, P<0.05), and significant difference between the tissues with SH and without(χ²=7.79, P<0.01). However, no difference was observed between the tissues with LS and without(χ²=1.23, P>0.05); there was significant difference of expression of c-erbB-2 among four groups(χ²=11.40, P>0.01), and significant difference between the tissues with SH and without(χ²=10.63, P<0.01). However, no difference was observed between the tissues with LS and without(χ²=1.26, P>0.05); EGFR expression located in cell membrane and cytoplasm, and it distributed in basal cell layer and stratum spinosum. c-erbB-2 expression located in cell membrane and cytoplasm, and it distributed in basal cell layer, stratum granulosum and stratum spionsum. Significant association between c-erbB-2 and EGFR expression in vulvar white lesions was demonstrated(r=0.388, P=0.015). Conclusion The over-expression of c-erbB-2 and EGFR in squamous hyperplasia may be related to the pathogen of squamous hyperplasia and it may be the cause why squamous hyperplasia is more liable to develop into squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva than lichen sclerosus. Significant association between c-erbB-2 and EGFR expressions in vulvar white lesions has been demonstrated. The over-expressions of c-erbB-2 and EGFR in SH make it possible that the molecular target therapy would be used in this disease in the future.

Key words: c-erbB-2, EGFR, gene, cell signal translating system, vulvar white lesions, squamous hyperplasia, lichen sclerosus