Measurement of HER2 in Saliva of Women in Risk of Breast Cancer

Abstract

HER2 amplification can be present in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). The aim of the present study was to test the feasibility of measuring soluble HER2 in the saliva of patients at risk of breast cancer towards early diagnosis and prognosis. Women with lesions classified as 4 according to BIRADS and women with spontaneous nipple discharge (NAF) were recruited for this study. Quantification of soluble HER2 in saliva was performed using the enzyme immunoassay ELISA. Median values of HER2 were quantified in saliva of the control groups and in the patient groups. The statistical test nonparametric Mann-Whitney was applied for the evaluation of median differences. Although the medians increased with the severity of the clinical status, no significant difference was found in all possibilities (p > 0.05) when comparing the medians among the patients groups. Interestingly, inter-individual HER2 quantity variations in the saliva were detected in this study in some subjects from each group. Considering possible inter-individual variations, research on saliva-based circulating HER2 has to be reinforced to ensure its correct application in diagnosis, treatment and in follow-up of breast cancer patients. Older and current issues surrounding the controversy about the appropriate methods for HER2 evaluation are discussed.

O presente e o futuro dos marcadores circulantes de câncer

“…32,33 Contudo, a aplicação da detecção do HER2 em saliva apresentou uma série de contrapontos e precisa ser mais pesquisada. 34 Fluido aspirado da mama -NAF O epitélio mamário é formado pelas células dos ductos e lóbulos que estão constantemente secretando e absorvendo o NAF. 35 O crescimento excessivo e a esfoliação do epitélio mamário resultam de uma gama de fatores, em especial da exposição aumentada de hormônios.…”

Usefulness of Saliva Samples for Biomarker Studies in Radiation Research

“…A study on patients at risk of breast cancer assessed salivary HER2 but did not conclude on any significant differences between patients at risk and control groups (57). The current status of early detection biomarkers for lung cancer has been recently reviewed elsewhere (58) and reported no biomarkers for saliva (at most, sputum).…”