HER-2 Expression in Immunohistochemistry Has No Prognostic Significance in Gastric Cancer Patients

Abstract

The role of HER-2 expression as a prognostic factor in gastric cancer (GC) is still controversial. The aim of the study was to asses HER-2 status, its correlations with clinicopathological parameters, and prognostic impact in GC patients. Tumor samples were collected from 78 patients who had undergone curative surgery. In order to evaluate the intensity of immunohistochemical (IHC) reactions two scales were applied: the immunoreactive score according to Remmele modified by the authors and standardised Hercep test score modified for GC by Hofmann et al. The HER-2 overexpression was detected by IHC in 23 (29.5%) tumors in Hercep test (score 2+/3+) and in 24 (30.7%) in IRS scale (IRS 4–12). The overexpression of HER-2 was associated with poorly differentiated tumors, but this correlation was not significant (P = 0.064). No relationship was found between HER-2 expression and primary tumor size and degree of spread to regional lymph nodes. Both univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that TNM stage and patient's age were the crucial negative prognostic factors. No correlation was observed between patient survival and expression of HER-2 estimated using both scales. This research did not confirm HER-2 expression (evaluated with immunohistochemistry) value as a prognostic tool in GC.

Prognostic implications of EGFR and HER-2 alteration assessed by immunohistochemistry and silver in situ hybridization in gastric cancer patients following curative resection

“…In the case of HER-2, some previous studies have reported that amplification of the HER2 gene or overexpression of its encoded protein in gastric cancer is associated with significantly shortened disease-free survival and overall survival [9,25,27]. However, recent studies have shown no significant prognostic value of HER2 in gastric cancer [36,37]. Recurrence pattern between loco-regional recurrence and distant recurrence was not related to alterations in EGFR and HER-2 (data not shown).…”

Significance of TFF3 protein and Her-2/neu status in patients with gastric adenocarcinoma

“…However, the prognostic role of Her-2/neu in gastric cancer is still controversial. Some studies have shown no predictive value with survival, and some have shown a correlation between Her-2/neu and worse outcome [3,4].…”

Overexpression of Her-2 upregulates FoxM1 in gastric cancer

“…Her-2 gene amplification has been reported in various types of cancer, including ovarian, lung and breast cancers (13,14,25). It has been reported that Her-2 is overexpressed in 9-38% of patients with gastric cancer (26), and is associated with certain clinicopathological characteristics and a poor survival in univariate analysis, but is not independently correlated with prognosis in multivariate analysis (27,28). However, in the studies by Okada et al (6) and Li et al (29), positive FoxM1 expression was an independent prognostic factor in gastric cancer, but did not correlate with any clinicopathological characteristics; the opposite occurred for Her-2.…”