Overexpression of c-erbB-2 and p21 oncoproteins in human radiation-induced skin ulcers.

We studied the overexpression of c-erbB-2 and p21 oncoproteins in human radiation-induced skin ulcers using immunohistochemistry. We found that the positive rate of overexpression of c-erbB-2 and p21 oncoproteins was 92.0 and 92.9%, respectively. The overexpression of c-erbB-2 oncoprotein was observed mainly in the cell membrane of squamous epithelial cells and in the cytoplasm of fibroblasts, endothelial cells, leiomyocytes in the media, and in fibrocytes of the adventitia of mesenchymal arterioles. The location of the p21 oncoprotein overexpression was mostly similar to that of c-erbB-2 with stronger staining in the cytoplasm of squamous epithelial cells and weaker staining in mesenchymal arteriolar walls. The overexpression of c-erbB-2 and p21 oncoproteins may be corresponding to the cancer transformation and poor healing of radiation-induced skin ulcers.