Overexpression of HER2 neu as a prognostic value in Iranian women with early stage breast cancer : a single institute study

Abstract EN

Background : Patients with early stage breast cancer with same treatment strategy can have markedly different outcomes.

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2 / nue) gene amplification or the subsequent overexpression of protein has been proved to be associated with patient's outcome and response to anthracyclins-based regimens.

Objectives : This study assessed prognostic value of HER2 / nue marker in patients with early stage breast cancer who received adjuvant chemotherapy with anthracyclins-based regimens.

Materials and Methods : Fifty tissue samples from patients with primary breast cancer of moderate risk receiving sequential adjuvant chemotherapy with anthracyclins-based regimens were assessed to evaluate HER2 / nue gene status (quantified by Immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization) retrospectively.

Besides, correlation of HER2 / neu with patients' characteristics and outcome was studied.

Results : HER2 / neu amplification was identified in 19 (38 %) of 50 patients.

No significant difference regarding HER2 / neu status was seen in clinic pathological characteristics of patients.

Although Progression Free Survival (PFS) was shorter in HER2 overexpressed group, but uni / multivariate analysis adjusted for HER2 overexpression, nodal involvement, hormone receptor status, age and tumor size revealed no significant predictive and / or prognostic value for HER2 regarding PFS.

Conclusions : This study on a limited number of patients treated with adjutant anthracyclins-based regimens, revealed that HER2 / neu is not a unique strong predictor for outcome, thus according to combination of HER2 / neu status and other clinical factors, it is necessary to distinguish patients at high risk of recurrence.