The impact of Helicobacter pylori on EGF, EGF receptor, and the c-erb-B2 expression

Increased expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF), its receptor (EGFR), and c-erb-B2 protein, which is homological with the EGF receptor, in gastric mucosa, may play a role in gastric carcinogenesis. We assessed if the infection and eradication of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) affects the gastric expression of growth factors and serum gastrin concentrations. We examined immunohistochemically gastric EGF and both receptors’ expression in: gastric cancer (GC; n=29), chronic gastritis with H. pylori infection (GHp+; n=40) before and after eradication and in patients without H. pylori infection (GHp−; n=42). Before the eradication therapy, gastric mucosal EGF and both receptor's expressions in GHp+ patients were increased compared to GHp− (p